VOA标准英语2013--Obama Security Team Faces New Challenges, New Priorities

 

Obama Security Team Faces New Challenges, New Priorities

 

In nominating former Senator Chuck Hagel as defense¹ secretary, President Obama acknowledged that his team will deal with a changing world.

“Ending the war in Afghanistan and caring for those who have borne the battle, preparing for the full range of threats, from the unconventional to the conventional, including things like cyber security…,” Obama said.

In his Senate confirmation² hearing, Hagel said, if confirmed, he would confront new issues as the U.S. brings its troops home from Afghanistan.

"That does not mean the threats we face and will continue to face, are any less dangerous or complicated. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Recent events in Mali and Algeria remind us clearly of this reality," Hagel said.

Hagel’s fellow Republican, former Senator Richard Lugar, says the new priorities will have to be accomplished³ with smaller defense budgets and with a Pentagon that is stressed “... as they take a look at all the changes that have to be made, even at a time that we are still at war in Afghanistan, have great responsibilities, for that matter, all over the world, where we still have troops stationed,” Lugar said.

With the administration shifting away from land wars, CIA operations, including drones and targeted killings⁴, may take on a greater role.

“A much less expensive role, if you got it right, than sending battalions⁵ of troops and having all the logistic support, but at the same time, requiring extraordinary intelligence resources," Lugar said.

A recently revealed Justice Department memo⁶ says it's legal for the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders working to kill Americans.

President Obama's pick for CIA director, John Brennan, has said targeted killings against certain terrorists are legal, ethical⁷ and necessary.

The diplomatic arm of the team is Former Senator John Kerry. He has been confirmed as Secretary of State.

Stopping Iran and North Korea from advancing nuclear weapons programs will be an urgent task.

Kerry told the Senate he will do whatever necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"And I repeat here today: Our policy is not containment⁸, it is prevention, and the clock is ticking on our efforts to secure responsible compliance," Kerry said.

On his first day at the State Department, Kerry phoned Israeli and Palestinian leaders and made a commitment to help them pursue peace. 

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

3 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

4 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

5 battalions   

n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍

参考例句：

• God is always on the side of the strongest battalions. 上帝总是帮助强者。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Two battalions were disposed for an attack on the air base. 配置两个营的兵力进攻空军基地。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 memo   

n.照会，备忘录；便笺；通知书；规章

参考例句：

• Do you want me to send the memo out?您要我把这份备忘录分发出去吗？
• Can you type a memo for me?您能帮我打一份备忘录吗？

7 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

8 containment   

n.阻止，遏制；容量

参考例句：

• Your list might include such things as cost containment,quality,or customer satisfaction.你的清单上应列有诸如成本控制、产品质量、客户满意程度等内容。
• Insularity and self-containment,it is argued,go hand in hand.他们争论说，心胸狭窄和自我封闭是并存的。