Pompeo labels Obama as 'a force for what ails the Middle East'
Updated 07:49, 14-Jan-2019
CGTN
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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday accused Barack Obama of sowing chaos by abandoning the Middle East to Islamist militants and Iranian influence in a blistering critique of the former president's policies even as President Donald Trump moves to pull American troops out of Syria.
In a speech at the American University in Cairo, Pompeo dispensed with a U.S. diplomatic tradition of avoiding public airing abroad of domestic disputes by blasting Obama at the site of a landmark 2009 speech by Trump's predecessor aimed at improving relations with the Islamic world.
Pompeo presented America as "a force for good in the Middle East" and suggested Obama saw the United States as "a force for what ails the Middle East."
Barack Obama speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., August. 4, 2016. /VCG Photo

Barack Obama speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., August. 4, 2016. /VCG Photo

The address by the chief American diplomat drew criticism from former U.S. officials and analysts who accused him of misreading history and camouflaging Trump's own desire to reduce U.S. commitments in the region.
Among other things, Pompeo accused Obama of underestimating "the tenacity and viciousness of radical Islamism," of failing to adequately support the 2009 "Green Movement" mass protests against a disputed election in Iran, and faulted him for not bombing Syria in retaliation for the use of chemical weapons by government forces in its civil war.
"What did we learn from all of this? We learned that when America retreats, chaos often follows. When we neglect our friends, resentment builds. And when we partner with our enemies, they advance," Pompeo said.
Pompeo did not mention Obama by name but called him "another American" who had also given a speech in the capital of the Arab world's most populous nation.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart following their meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs in Cairo, January 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart following their meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs in Cairo, January 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Pompeo: Trump willing to take military action again in Syria

In a planned address entitled "A Force for Good: America Reinvigorated in the Middle East" in Cairo, Pompeo claimed that the U.S. will use diplomacy and work with partners to expel "every last Iranian boot" from Syria.
He reconfirmed in his speech that the U.S. will bring troops home from Syria, but remained committed to "complete dismantling of ISIL threat."
His tour is aimed at urging regional allies to continue to confront the "significant threats" posed by Iran and ISIL despite Trump's shock decision last month to pull all 2,000 American troops from Syria. But the muddled pronouncements from the Trump administration, which swiftly walked back the planned withdrawal of troops from Syria, has triggered regional concern. 

Pompeo praises Egypt 'freedoms'

The diplomat also praised Egypt's religious freedoms as he visited a vast cathedral and a mosque in Cairo the same day.
At the mosque, he praised Egypt's "freedoms here in this houses of worship, these big, beautiful, gorgeous buildings where the Lord is clearly at work."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) meets with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry at the ministry of foreign affairs in Cairo, January 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) meets with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry at the ministry of foreign affairs in Cairo, January 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Asked about the role of governments towards religious minorities, Pompeo said they had "an obligation to make sure that every individual can choose to worship the way they want or choose."
"It's wonderful that here in Egypt it's possible," he said.

UAE: Pompeo's speech important message for friends

A senior United Arab Emirates' official welcomed Pompeo's speech in Cairo on Thursday, saying it was a message of support for allies and friends.
“Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech... is important in supporting regional stability and identifying the dangers faced by the region,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter. 
“Washington, through its secretary of state, is asserting the importance of its alliances and supporting its friends,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)