Obama Admin to soon release a new National Security Strategy

I / Washington April 22, 2010, 10:45 IST

The United States would soon release a new National Security Strategy, a top Obama Administration official has said.

"The new approach would be rooted in and guided by America's national security interests. These interests are clear and enduring," National Security Advisor General (rtd) James Jones said at Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

He said the US had an enduring interest in security of America, its citizens and allies and partners.

"We have an enduring interest in a strong, innovative and growing US economy in an open international economic system that promotes opportunity and prosperity," he said, adding US had an enduring interest in upholding universal values, at home and around the world.
   
"We have an enduring interest in an international order advanced by US leadership that promotes peace, security and opportunity through stronger cooperation to meet global challenges," Jones said.
   
Since taking office, the NSA said, US President Barack Obama has made it clear that his first and foremost priority was the safety and security of the American people and he had pursued a new era of US leadership and comprehensive engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect.
   
"Security, prosperity, universal values, and an international order advanced by American leadership-these are the interests that the President and his Administration are working to advance around the world every day, including in the Middle East," Jones said.
   
"To strengthen our security, we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq," he said, adding that as evidenced by the successes this weekend of military operations against al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi security forces are in the lead.
     
"The United States will end our combat mission by the end of August. In accordance with the US-Iraq Security Agreement, all US forces will be out Iraq by the end of next year. Now, the most immediate challenge is for Iraqi political leaders to form an inclusive and representative government," Jones said.
   
As they face the longer-term challenges of expanding prosperity and opportunity, the Iraqi people will continue to have a partner in the United States, he said in his remarks.
   
Jones said the US is forging partnerships that isolate extremists, combat corruption and promote good governance and development-all of which improves the daily lives of ordinary people and undermines the forces that fuel violent extremism.