On Sunday, February 22, George Clooney met with President Obama to discuss the crisis in Darfur and then went on Larry King Live to continue advocating - instead of partying it up on Oscar night. Clooney, a U.N. Messenger of Peace, has visited Sudan several times and works with Save Darfur, a coalition partner of Citizens for Global Solutions. Clooney's message to the President? The U.S. needs to appoint an envoy to lead Sudan policy. If this sounds familiar, it may be because we sent out an action alert earlier this month to the same effect! Clooney reports that the President and Vice President both seemed receptive to the request.

Let the administration know that you are of the same mind as Clooney, and that you agree the U.S. needs to quickly appoint an official to manage Sudan policy: click here to send an email to President Obama in 30 seconds.

We were thrilled to hear that this April the Obama Administration will be sending a delegation to represent the United States at a preparatory meeting for the United Nations Durban Review Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The Durban II Conference will review the commitments established by each country in the original U.N. World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, in 2001. In 2001, the United States led a walkout of the Durban Conference because of the anti-Jewish and anti-Israel message that dominated the conference. Others already fear a repeat in Durban II because anti-Israeli states like Iran have played such a large role in the Conference's preparations. The outcome document of the original Conference includes recently added language impugning the state of Israel. A friend of Citizens for Global Solutions, Congressman Howard L. Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, echoed our sentiments when he stated,

"The decision to engage in, rather than to withdraw from, the debate in Geneva is constructive, it is critical that the United States regain its moral voice at the U.N. by jumping into the fray and stipulating clear redlines for re-focusing Durban II, including the removal of language in the Outcome Document attacking Israel or singling it out for criticism. We should continue challenging the status quo at the U.N. by re-engaging in and restructuring its human rights mechanisms in order to break the choke-hold that non-democratic states currently have on them."

In September 2008, Berman authored a House Resolution (H.R. 1361) that urged the Bush Administration to get involved in the Durban II Conference. Now we are so pleased to see his good work come to fruition. Canada has stated that they will not be attending and France and the Netherlands are considering not attending. Whether or not U.S. participation will be able to make a difference is unclear but even if the U.S. is forced to walk out, our presence in Conference preparations will send a message. "By standing up to those who are trying to hijack the proceedings, and by telling them that we refuse to accept outright anti-Semitism or an attempt to single out Israel in the context of a racism conference" stated Berman, "we are reasserting our moral leadership in world affairs".

We're excited by the speech that Vice-President Joe Biden gave at last week at the 45th Munich security conference . He made it clear that the U.S. is eager to engage with the rest of the world, under the leadership of President Obama, strengthening ties with U.S. allies and forging new relationships with U.S. foes.

In comments that could have come from our CGS Mission Statement, he said,

"The threats we face have no respect for borders. No single country, no matter how powerful, can best meet them alone. We believe that international alliances and organizations do not diminish America's power - they help us advance our collective security, economic interests and values. So we will engage. We will listen. We will consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America."

The Vice-President made it clear that the administration will work hard to repair our damaged relations with Russia. Biden said,

"The last few years have seen a dangerous drift in relations between Russia and the members of our Alliance. It is time to press the reset button."

This shows that the administration realizes that engagement with Russia is integral to the achievement of key U.S. national security goals. Biden indicated that the Obama administration is willing to move past previous disagreements with Russia and resume a cooperative relationship. If successful, the administration may be able to make headway on a host of issues from Iran to missile defense to trade to terrorism to arms control.

Biden also held out a small olive branch to Iran, declaring,

"We are willing to talk to Iran, and to offer a very clear choice: continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon your illicit nuclear program and support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives."

He also demanded that Iran cease its support for terrorism, but he made no specific mention of Iran freezing its enrichment activities or the prospect of further UN Security Council sanctions. This nuanced policy opens up greater possibilities for dialogue, which Biden explicitly stated was a goal of the administration.

In short, his speech is further evidence that the administration is following through on its campaign promises for responsible U.S. global engagement, and that gives us added hope that we will be able to make major strides in achieving many of our policy goals this year.