Biden Vows 'New Tone' in Foreign Policy

In Germany, VP cites 'new tone in Washington'

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2009 8:49 AM CST

(Newser) – Joe Biden offered an outline of "a new tone" in US foreign policy today, one that puts a priority on diplomacy over military force, Reuters reports. The US also will call on allies for help in handling world threats. “We will engage. We will listen. We will consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America," said Biden, speaking at a security conference in Munich. He emphasized, however, that the US would not hesitate to use force in the name of national security.

The first major Obama administration foreign-policy speech essentially distanced America’s new leaders from President Bush’s “with us or against us” policy, notes Reuters. But “there is no conflict between our security and our ideals,” Biden said. “Throughout our history, the force of arms has protected our freedom. That will not change.”

[Images (3)]

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Biden addresses the participants of the International Conference on Security Policy in Munich, southern Germany, today. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

General view of the International Conference on Security Policy as Biden spoke at the hotel "Bayerischer Hof" in Munich, southern Germany, today. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Joe Biden faces the media with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after their meeting at the Munich's security conference today. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher)

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Biden called for more NATO help in Afghanistan, a united effort to force Iran to scrap its nuclear program, a sharp reduction in nuclear arsenals and a halt in a "dangerous drift" in relations with Russia.
- Ross Colvin, Reuters

I come to Europe on behalf of a new administration determined to set a new tone in Washington, and in America's relations around the world. - VP Joe Biden

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Biden Vows 'New Tone' in Foreign Policy