US Ambassador delivers Commemoration Oration

HE Louis B. Susman, the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, delivered the King's College London Commemoration Oration last night (17 March), at the Great Hall, Strand Campus. The speech 'Policies & Priorities of the Obama Administration' focused on US President Barack Obama's first 14 months in office. He reflected on the election of the first African-American President as 'having electrified the world'. It was viewed as a new era and the start of a long journey towards positive change, he said. His speech focused on the United States' approach to the key foreign policy issues of Afghanistan and Pakistan; the Middle East conflict and Iran. He outlined the US strategy in these areas, and discussed Operation Moshtarak in Afganistan; Vice President Biden's visit to Israel and the US commitments in the region; and the options available in diffusing the threat of nuclear proliferation in Iran. He explained that foreign policy was complex, extensive and far reaching and to achieve foreign policy goals you need the duality of diplomacy and strength.