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Subscribe to RSSDays after Israel’s air strike on Syria prompted a new round of fiery rhetoric from Hezbollah and objections from Russia, Vice President Biden will meet with key figures in the Syrian conflict while visiting Europe this week, senior White House officials said Thursday.
Biden will attend the 49th Munich Security Conference Saturday, where he will have bilateral meetings with the United Nations envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, as well as the head of the Syrian Opposition Council, Moaz al-Khatib. But White House officials suggested the meeting would not result in any additional U.S. involvement in the conflict beyond the humanitarian assistance it has been providing.
“I think the vice president, in his meetings with the leadership of the Syrian opposition as well as other international partners, is going to be discussing how we can continue to provide humanitarian assistance,” said Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, on a conference call with reporters previewing the visit.
Biden will also talk with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov -- a meeting that will take place just days after Russia rebuked Israel for launching a military strike in Syria.
And in the meeting with Lavrov, Rhodes said Biden will stress that it is “very important for the Russians to put their full weight into political transition in Syria.”
The conversation will also likely touch on Russia’s human-rights record, which came to a head when the U.S. Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, which imposes sanctions and denies visas to Russians accused of human rights abuses and corruption.
Passage of the act set off a series of retaliatory actions from both the Russian and U.S. governments that could complicate U.S. efforts to “reset” the countries’ relationship.
“We have real differences, and we don't hide them,” said Tony Blinken, Biden’s national security adviser. “But going forward, there is a real potential not only to work through those differences, but to continue the agenda that we set over the past four years.”
In addition to Biden's stop in Germany, where he will meet one-on-one with Chancellor Angela Merkel, the vice president also will be meeting with the heads of France and the United Kingdom. Syria will figure into all of those discussions, said Blinken, who will soon move roles to serve as the president’s deputy national security adviser.
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Meanwhile, John "chickenhawk" McNasty has been relegated to the nearest Senate corner sucking his thumb while rocking back & forth, crying uncontrollably!
It has to really chap his ass to sit by and not be able to do a THING! lol
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Details of V-P Biden and Dr. Biden's densely-packed trip are at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/31/conference-call-vice-presidents-trip-germany-france-and-united-kingdom
PHEW!
Backhouse
Hillary and Joe have worked their butts off, they can't be true Liberals ... couple of LINOs! ... and its anagram- LIONs
That's okay. The dufus couldn't negotiate his way out of a porta-john if his life depended on it.
Looks like it's been a busy day on FR. Sorry I didn't get to join in the conversation. It's been a busy day and I have a board of directors meeting tomorrow so it is doubtful I'll get to join in - again.
I see you guys have done a good job of keeping the righties on track although they still haven't bothered to wake up to reality.
Biden shows - once again - why President Obama was smart in selecting him for Vice President. He does his job well and it reflects well on the country. I cannot imagine Palin or lyin Ryan in any discussions with foreign diplomats. The horrors!
You know, it's gonna be interesting to see how Uncle Joe handles himself over yonder.
My guess is that he'll make a good showing of himself and represent the Country well.
Also sets up for a very interesting 2016 Democratic Presidential Primary season...
McCain- will someone please give that old fart some kind of 'honorary President for a Day' thing or something, so he can finally settle down from his 08 loss?
Got two words for you, old man: Sarah Palin. We should take you serrious.....WHY???
(as for Lindsey Graham- is he vying for' Successor-to-be-the-next-biggest-loser' award??)
Headline on MSNBC:
"HAGEL
WEATHERS FEISTY QUESTIONS FROM SENATORS"
Notice the third word. Now, we all have proof- Red HAS to be a paid 'plant'. right you guys?
Hey, Red- c'n you afford to send me some old maids, so I don't go over to FUX and 'spill da beans'???
Yo, drive-by -
Actually, this was an even better headline I remember from a few years ago.....
http://www.videowired.com/video/4274715408/
Hmmm. It's bad to besmirch two decorated veterans like Kerry and Hagel but okay to besmirch another decorated veteran like McCain.
I also wonder what broad with a key figure Biden will meet over there?
Ben - Hagel and Kerry have not conducted themselves like clowns. McCain has.
Biden has never been accused of anything like you are suggesting. You are a total fool and a despicable one at that.
MCain paints himself as some kind of military/foreign relations expert, but why should anyone buy that?
His support for the war in Iraq shows him to be a fool. His equating our involvement in the Libyan rebellion with involvement in Syria shows he doesn't understand the Middle East.
His choosing Sarah Palin as a running mate in '08 demonstrates that he didn't have the best interests of the U.S. at heart.
McCain missed the key briefing on Benghazi...he was too busy complaining about Benghazi to attend.
Joe Biden runs rings around the old 'maverick'!
Well...I see that bumbling Biden is now onto Syria after he did such a bang up job on the gun control issue...no pun intended...
*tapping foot* We are waiting for you to give us all the details, Ms. Feisty!!
Biden, really? You mean the same Biden that was charged with overseeing this gun control "issue", but yet couldn't take time out of his day to watch the hearings? You mean that Biden? Perhaps you are referring to a different bumbling Biden??
At least he won't be fellating Al-qaeda like good ol' Uncle Joe and deluding himself that the "rebellion is anything short of the attempt at removing and replacing yet another govt in the region with Islamic radicals. After all, Obama has been spot on in his assessment of North Africa. The Obama administration has been a complete failure when it comes to foreign policy. And anything else. I'm sure they can find some video to blame for their shortcomings.
Most everyone in Congress and the UN supported the actions against Iraq.
I watched an interview with Colin Powell, the man the loons from the left always claims was lied to and made a fool of in front of the world by giving his speech leading up to the second invasion of Iraq.
He was asked if he was mad at the Republicans because of being "forced" to give that speech.
His response was he was not mad and not forced. The intel was believed to be true by the whole world (the Clinton's also) and to not have acted would have been irresponsible. The gathering of the info which led them to the point of the U.N. speech had been going on for years.
The drones should venture out and get their news elsewhere besides the propagandists sites such as NBC, ABC, CBS, Thinkregression, dailykos, NYT, WaPo, etc...
He didn't believe it 100% thats why he asked G. Tennet to sit behind him in full view of the camera.
George Tennet admitted that he didn't know 100%...but he was 100% positive thay had them.
It was a play on words, something the Republicans know all about.
Gosh DANG it Buzz!
Now the cat is out of the bag! lol
Ol' maids on their way - nice & crunchy just the way you like em! ;o)
Can Joe influence them to abolish sheriffs rights to arrest?
Biden, really? This ought to be good for few new SNL skits.
Yeah, geez, 'cause if only we'd elected McCain in 2008, we could be sending Sarah Palin out on these sort of missions instead.....
Naw - she woulda' quit for a job at Faux News by now. Or maybe she'd be making plans to move to Glen Beck's Independence City.
And if Sarah wasn't around anymore, McCain would've probably named Michelle Bachman or Christine O'Donnell.
Thank you for winning, Obama.
joanne: Or lying Ryan....either one is a disaster.
JoAnne---can you imagine Sarah winking at foreign diplomats and saying "you betcha" to them?
Dear god, NO!!
blearyeyed . . .
That there is some funny stuff and Jon Stewart's take on it .... PRICELESS!
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-january-29-2013/america-2--now-with-more-freedom---a-glenn-beck-holiday
The Freedom From/To portion towards the end is spot on!
LOL That was the gem of the day, JoAnne!
Perhaps Palin would have been better considering ol bumbling Biden can't make up his mind if guns are bad or good... I'm certain that Obama keeps ol Joe around for laughs...like a court jester...
No kidding they are sending the gaffe master over seas? ha ha boy that should be good!
You mean like Romney in England or the first Bush throwing up in Japan?
justaplumber - yes, Biden - who has represented this country very well over the past 4 years and is well-respected by foreign diplomats. But, just think, it could have been lyin Ryan - has he been running any 2 hour marathons lately???? LOL!
No..I'm quite certain it is bumbling Biden who will be the laugh of the world... "Go ahead and stand up"...ring a bell??
By the time that idiot is done we will be at war with both sides of the Syrian war.
King Obozo probably wants some advice from Assad about holding on to power.
And these are from the people who want Hagl as Sec of Defense....
Joe Biden's a class act and his vernacular is distinctly American and wholehearty good; and is completly absent of the backwoods style of Palin.
He's a damn good man and VP.
I'm sorry but that made me laugh!!
No, I do not think Biden is as knowledgable, experienced and sophisticated as Palin in foreign affairs.
Joe Biden - I won't deny the gaffes but on substance he has served my State of Delaware and the country honorably all of his life. Best VP ever! John McCain - I deeply honor all of his service and sacrifice for our great USA. It is tremendously sad to see what has become of him. The Palin pick was the "jump the shark" moment for McCain and it appears he will never recover.
Is Delaware a state? We've got counties bigger than Delaware.
We need to combine a bunch of those tiny little states to save some money!
justaplumber -
Have you ever actually been to Delaware? Trust me, I'm there at least once a week and I save a TON of money every time! They're not known as "The Home Of Tax-Free Shopping" for nothing......:)
Can Joe have a discussion with Beau No regard on leaving the Sheriffs alone?
I hope Joe Biden does not meet with these jihadists
Biden meeting with anybody other than his hair stylist is a big mistake. The only reason Biden is VP is for life insurance.
Looks like the Israelis forced the US' hand. Or to put it another way, better late than never.
Impeach these Bastards, and Bitches, now! They are all liars! We as the USA, are the laughing stock of the world!
Keep the microphones hot for Biden the laughing hyena. He's bound to keep his record of saying really stupid stuff.... fitting for the Obamination of America....
I can see the frank quotes coming from Biden a day or so later:
- I do not see what all the fuzz about Syrian civil war.. let them figure out their differences by themselves...No?
After being reminded the fact that Syria is Israel's neighbor and israel is itching for trouble as they always do, Biden says:
- Oh well, Its US duty to interfere with human tragedy going on in Syria..US will do everthing within our power blah bla...