Cord Byrd: “I hope Senators will listen. Rarely in recent memory has the United States faced more profoundly serious and complicated…”

“I hope Senators will listen. Rarely in recent memory has the United States faced more profoundly serious and complicated challenges to our global leadership. We are beginning our second year of war in Afghanistan, our second year of chasing after Osama bin Laden, and at the same time the Pentagon is feverishly mobilizing for possible war in Iraq. Meanwhile, North Korea is firing up its nuclear production facilities and warning of a third world war in Asia if the United States dares to interfere. Suddenly large swathes of both the Middle East and Asia are on the brink of open warfare, and the conduct of U.S. foreign policy is facing enormous tests. Even our allies are questioning our real intentions and our ultimate ambitions. This is certainly not the time for rash words or hasty action, but it is most definitely the time to take a long and sober look at where the United States has been and where it may be headed. The administration's doctrine of preemption and the testing of that doctrine in Iraq have thrust the United States into a new and unflattering posture on the world stage. In many corners of the world, America the peacemaker is now seen as the bully on the block. I believe it is time for this administration to review our national security strategy and its take-no-prisoners approach to international relations.”