Judgment you can trust

On day one of an Obama-Biden administration, Americans will notice a clear difference in foreign policy. Whether it is in Iraq, Iran or beyond, the White House will operate in a radically different manner. He will end eight years of unilateralism and arrogance in exchange for a policy defined by diplomacy, negotiation and thoughtfulness. Sen. Barack Obama will restore America's place on the world stage, making us once again a beacon of hope in the world rather than one of ridicule.

Obama will end the war in Iraq in a careful and responsible manner using a phased withdrawal. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of one to two brigades a month. This would remove them in 16 months, ending a war that has cost the American people billions of dollars. Without massive expenditures in Iraq, the U.S. government will be able to reallocate funds to the war in Afghanistan, the true front of the War on Terror, and toward stemming the current financial crisis, another travesty created by incompetent Republican rule. A residual force will remain, monitoring the region and conducting counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda, which wouldn't have gained a footing in Iraq if it weren't for the war. Attention will then be able to shift to Afghanistan and Pakistan where terrorism remains a strong threat and where Osama bin Laden remains at large.

President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain have failed the American people. Obama had the good judgment to oppose this war from the beginning. Seven years after 9/11, the Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan. What McCain fails to recognize is that Afghanistan, not Iraq, remains the central battleground in the War on Terror. The Bush-McCain strategy has failed to catch bin Laden and failed to keep us safe-it's time for a new direction in Afghanistan.

Obama will deal with the increasing threat of a nuclear Iran, a nation that supports terrorism in Iraq and the destruction of Israel. He advocates strong, direct diplomacy without preconditions. He would offer the Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments and a move toward normal diplomatic relations.

Obama will renew the doctrine of diplomacy and repair America's image abroad as an enviable nation that all can look to for strength and compassion. Obama will make it morning in America and around the world.

Will Passo is a Trinity sophomore. He is the executive secretary of the Duke Democrats.