Standard, High Standard agreement, and we will have one that can put an enormous pressure on those countries which seek not to comply with international law. And one of the things we are doing is trying to convince the administration to be more supportive of their own initiative here. The administration often announces an initiative but then doesnt do anything to support its implementation. And in south asia and east asia thats very important right now. With that said, why dont we open it up to your questions . Ill ask along with a question to get a chance to take a bite if you wish to. Let me sort of throw out a ceremonial softball to begin, and thats about what you see as the biggest Foreign Policy threat to the u. S. When youre selected as chairman, you said the greatest threat facing the u. S. And our allies is iran. Is that still your view, or are there other issues that have eclipsed that in terms of being the most important threat to the u. S. . Well, you know, we were, we were
So the primary question is really no longer, what do we know . The question is what do we we colle tively we going to do about it . Welcome to the closing bell, im bill griffeths. Maria is back next tuesday. John kerry serving notice the u. S. Is preparing to act on syria. We are following escalating developments for you as the stock market is in the final hour of what looks to be the worst month for dow and s p 500 since 2012. I will point out markets response to syria remarks has been muted, also very few traders out there on this friday before labor day weekend. Seems there was a mild reaction to the downside. Bob pisani noticed when john kerry was taking a harder line, the dow dropped ten points. When he took a softer stance and reiterated no boots on ground, not openended, words like that, it seemed like the market came back to where it was prekerrys speech at the moment. Where were sitting at the dow is were off by just 0. 2 , down by 26 points. The nasdaq is down by 27 points. O
Happens. Nasdaqs down 30 points. S p down 5. 5. An ugly month for stocks as the threat of military action in syria hangs over the nation and this market, bob pisani. What was interesting, i think we should put up president obamas key statement here today because the president and secretary of state john kerry also spoke today. President obama came out and said, we have not made a final decision on actions that will be taken. Thats the key point here. He also made it clear that it will not involve any action taken will not involve any boots on the ground. I think thats the major headline youll see in the newspaper tomorrow. When secretary kerry started speaking around 1 00, a speech very aggressive and very restrained at the same time, markets fluttered around, drooped going to the close and then rally just in the last few seconds. Take a look at the markets intraday here. I would say concern but no panic that was going on today. Importantly, we generally had very low volume once again.
Why arent we at least curious to find out whether or not president rahani wants to pursue this course of peace . Its what we want. Its negotiated settlement. Why are we slapping his hand down when apparently the arraignian people are willing to support a candidate whos willing to extend the hand . The New York Times agrees. It says, quote, while sanctions are an important element of policy, this moment could harm rather than advance the chances for a negotiated deal with iran. In fact, secretary of state john kerry warned that additional sanctions at this moment might undermine diplomatic efforts. The fact of the matter is, why do we want to strengthen the hand of extremists who will say to him see, you thought you could work with them. We were right all along. I say theyre wrong. I say lets accept the olive branch of the iranian people who selected a more moderate candidate. I ask unanimous consent to submit this document to the record. Foreign ran yeas minister seems as an olive bran
North korean threat, not even here. We have Fox Team Coverage tonight. John roberts at the white house with the latest on the effort to repeal and replace obamacare. Benjamin hall in london as the world waits for another nuclear test from the communist regime. Brit hume looks at the politics here at home. We begin with rich edson at the state department. Good evening. It is the strategy of urgency. Thats the approach to confronting an increasingly aggressive north korea. There are questions of whether their current strategy will work and how far President Trump is willing to go to contain north korea. The president of the United States meeting with one of the worlds most violent repressive dictators. In an interview with Bloomberg News, President Trump said if it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, i would absolutely. I would be honored to do it. If its under the, again, under the right circumstances, but i would do that. There is a lot of conditions that would have to happen