structures of deterrence. i m not interested in endless back and forth over this kind of activity. i want it clear to the russians, the chinese and others that they shouldn t engage in it. because if they do, they will pay a price far greater than whatever pain they inflict on us. this is a new world. but it s a world that we re going to have to live in. just as we use positions of strength to deter hostile activity in more conventional military areas, we need to do it here as well. this is not a law enforcement problem. this is not a problem that s solved by another executive order. this is going to be solved by inflicting sufficient pain on the aggressor that they don t do it in the future. i want to make sure that i ask you before you go about the u.n. vote. our abstention, our refusal t veto something we could have with regard to israeli settlements. the prime minister says there s evidence the u.s. actively promoted this resolution. he says there s evidence he will share with th
structures of deterrence. i m not interested in endless back and forth over this kind of activity. i want it clear to the russians, the chinese and others that they shouldn t engage in it. because if they do, they will pay a price far greater than whatever pain they inflict on us. this is a new world. but it s a world that we re going to have to live in. just as we use positions of strength to deter hostile activity in more conventional military areas, we need to do it here as well. this is not a law enforcement problem. this is not a problem that s solved by another executive order. this is going to be solved by inflicting sufficient pain on the aggressor that they don t do it in the future. i want to make sure that i ask you before you go about the u.n. vote. our abstention, our refusal to veto something we could have with regard to israeli settlements. the prime minister says there s evidence the u.s. actively promoted this resolution. he says there s evidence he will share with t
superiority in several key military areas since the end of world war ii. stealth. the best battle tank ever invented. the technological advantage we ve had is going away. we re not modernizing our forces the way the chinese and russians are for example. because we are significantly reducing our defense budget. the defense represents 17% of the federal budget. it takes 50% of the cuts under the obama administration. and so without question, i am concerned the other thing that occurs to me that s very important, i think, sean, is the image we are presenting to the world of weakness. weakness. yeah. and world leaders tell you that when you talk to them. you stay in touch with them. yeah. liz and i have made two trips to the middle east in recent years. went back and met with friends i
superiority in several key military areas since the end of world war ii. stealth. the best battle tank ever invented. the technological advantage we ve had is going away. we re not modernizing our forces the way the chinese and russians are for example. because we are significantly reducing our defense budget. the defense represents 17% of the federal budget. it takes 50% of the cuts under the obama administration. and so without question, i am concerned the other thing that occurs to me that s very important, i think, sean, is the image we are presenting to the world of weakness. weakness. yeah. and world leaders tell you that when you talk to them. you stay in touch with them. yeah. liz and i have made two trips to the middle east in recent years. went back and met with friends i
areas. perhaps in an attempt to try and avoid having those identified military areas being struck by the u.s. military or others that may be part of this operation. according to some opposition sources, they have been moving mill titary units. that s a major concern for human rights organizations. it is a concern across the region that if there is a military strike, you could see the number of refugees still over into neighboring countries. so that is a major concern. against that backdrop, you still have the arab league. saying it calls on the international community to use deterrent action, to punish the syrian government. that is as strong of a language as you re possibly going to get from the arab league. giving the united states some type of diplomatic cover to pursue a military option against syria, should it decide to.