Untitled Document

[00:00:00] America's foreign policy is once again [00:00:03] based on bipartisanship, [00:00:05] on realism, strength, full partnership, [00:00:08] and consultation with our allies, and [00:00:11] constructive negotiation with potential [00:00:13] adversaries. From the Middle East to [00:00:15] Southern Africa to Geneva, American [00:00:18] diplomats are taking the initiative to [00:00:20] make peace and lower arms levels. We [00:00:24] should be proud of our role as [00:00:25] peacemakers. [00:00:26] >> That was Republican President Ronald [00:00:28] Reagan. his 1983 State of the Union [00:00:31] address. And here's Democratic President [00:00:34] Bill Clinton 14 years later, his 1997 [00:00:38] State of the Union address. One of the [00:00:40] greatest sources of our strength [00:00:41] throughout the Cold War was a bipartisan [00:00:45] foreign policy. [00:00:47] Because our future was at stake, [00:00:49] politics stopped at the wat's edge. Both [00:00:52] presidents mentioned foreign policy. [00:00:54] Both talked about bipartisan foreign [00:00:56] policy. And both clips serve as [00:00:59] important reminders that despite what [00:01:01] the skeptics and the cynics say, State [00:01:03] of the Union addresses do matter because [00:01:06] many of the hot foreign policy issues [00:01:07] and crises America faces right now have [00:01:10] been talked about for years and decades [00:01:12] in State of the Union addresses. Here [00:01:14] are those echoes and rhymes of America's [00:01:16] foreign policy today in this episode of [00:01:19] C-SPAN's podcast, Extreme Mortman. [00:01:21] Countries and foreign leaders and [00:01:23] hotspots in the news right now have [00:01:24] shown up for years in State of the Union [00:01:26] addresses going back at least to the [00:01:28] Carter administration. For instance, [00:01:31] Iran. In 2026, Iran is in the news. And [00:01:35] Iran was in the news in 1980 when [00:01:37] President Jimmy Carter gave his final [00:01:39] State of the Union address. At the time, [00:01:41] Iran held 50 American captives. The [00:01:44] speech came two and a half months after [00:01:46] the hostage crisis began. In response to [00:01:49] the abhorrent act in Iran, our nation [00:01:53] has never been aroused and unified so [00:01:56] greatly in peace time. Our position is [00:02:01] clear. [00:02:03] The United States will not yield to [00:02:07] blackmail. [applause] [00:02:17] >> [applause] [00:02:20] >> We continue to pursue these specific [00:02:22] goals. [00:02:24] First, to protect the present and long [00:02:27] range interest of the United States. [00:02:30] Secondly, to preserve the lives of the [00:02:32] American hostages and to secure as [00:02:35] quickly as possible their safe release. [00:02:38] If possible, to avoid bloodshed which [00:02:41] might further endanger the lives of our [00:02:43] fellow citizens. [00:02:45] To enlist the help of other nations in [00:02:47] condemning this act of violence which is [00:02:51] shocking and violates the moral and [00:02:54] illegal standards of a civilized world [00:02:58] and also to convince and to persuade the [00:03:01] Iranian leaders that the real danger to [00:03:04] their nation lies in the north. [00:03:08] in the Soviet Union and from the Soviet [00:03:11] troops now in Afghanistan and that the [00:03:14] unwarranted Iranian quarrel with the [00:03:16] United States hampers their response to [00:03:19] this far greater danger to them if the [00:03:22] American hostages are harmed. A severe [00:03:26] price [00:03:28] will be paid. [00:03:30] [applause] [00:03:32] When President Ronald Reagan gave his [00:03:34] 1984 State of the Union address, we were [00:03:36] deep in the Cold War. The US was pitted [00:03:39] against Russia, or as it was called [00:03:41] then, the Soviet Union. But President [00:03:44] Reagan's language was anything but [00:03:46] aggressive. Tonight, I want to speak to [00:03:49] the people of the Soviet Union to tell [00:03:53] them it's true that our governments have [00:03:55] had serious differences, but our sons [00:03:57] and daughters have never fought each [00:03:59] other in war. And if we Americans have [00:04:01] our way, they never will. [00:04:05] People of the Soviet Union, there is [00:04:07] only one sane policy for your country [00:04:11] and mine. To pres preserve our [00:04:14] civilization in this modern age. A [00:04:17] nuclear war cannot be won and must never [00:04:21] be fought. [00:04:28] >> [applause] [00:04:33] [applause] [00:04:42] [applause] [00:04:48] [applause] [00:04:53] [applause] [00:04:54] >> The only value in our two nations [00:04:57] possessing nuclear weapons is to make [00:04:59] sure they will never be used. But then [00:05:03] would it not be better to do away with [00:05:05] them entirely? [00:05:13] Among those attending the speech in [00:05:15] person, the Soviet ambassador to the [00:05:17] United States, Anatoli de Brinan. He sat [00:05:20] in a diplomatic gallery in the House [00:05:22] chamber. For most of the speech, no [00:05:24] reaction. Ambassador Debrinan just sat [00:05:27] there in stony silence. But when [00:05:29] President Reagan said, "A nuclear war [00:05:31] cannot be won and must never be fought," [00:05:33] Ambassador Debrin applauded. By the way, [00:05:36] President Reagan gave his 1984 State of [00:05:38] the Union address with its direct [00:05:40] message for peace on January 25th. [00:05:43] Within two weeks, on February 9th, [00:05:46] Soviet leader Yuri Andropov, former head [00:05:48] of the KGB, was dead. Vice President [00:05:52] George Bush attended Andropav's funeral [00:05:54] in Red Square. He brought a huge floral [00:05:57] wreath bearing the inscription written [00:05:59] in Russian from the people of the United [00:06:01] States. In 1992, President George Bush [00:06:05] gave his own State of the Union address. [00:06:07] We gathered tonight at a dramatic and [00:06:10] deeply promising time in our history and [00:06:13] in the history of man on Earth. For in [00:06:16] the past 12 months, the world has known [00:06:19] changes of almost biblical proportions. [00:06:23] And even now, months after the failed [00:06:26] coup that doomed a failed system, I'm [00:06:29] not sure we've absorbed the full impact, [00:06:33] the full import of what happened. But [00:06:37] communism died this year. And [00:06:44] >> [applause] [00:06:50] [applause] [00:06:53] >> And even as president with the most [00:06:55] fascinating possible vantage point, [00:06:58] there were times when I was so busy [00:07:00] managing progress and helping to lead [00:07:02] change that I didn't always show the joy [00:07:04] that was in my heart. But the biggest [00:07:07] thing that has happened in the world in [00:07:10] my life in our lives is this. By the [00:07:14] grace of God, America won the Cold War. [00:07:18] [applause] [00:07:24] >> Now, a country very much in the news [00:07:26] today, Ukraine. President Bill Clinton [00:07:29] mentioned Ukraine in three of his State [00:07:31] of the Union speeches. Here's 1998. [00:07:35] To meet these challenges, we are helping [00:07:37] to write international rules of the road [00:07:39] for the 21st century, protecting those [00:07:42] who join the family of nations and [00:07:45] isolating those who do not. Within days, [00:07:48] I will ask the Senate for its advice and [00:07:50] consent to make Hungary, Poland, and the [00:07:53] Czech Republic the newest members of [00:07:56] NATO. [applause] [00:08:02] [applause] [00:08:12] For 50 years, NATO contained communism [00:08:15] and kept America and Europe secure. Now, [00:08:17] these three formerly communist countries [00:08:20] have said yes to democracy. I ask the [00:08:24] Senate to say yes to them, our new [00:08:28] allies. [00:08:31] By taking in new members and working [00:08:33] closely with new partners, including [00:08:34] including Russia and Ukraine, NATO can [00:08:37] help to asssure that Europe is a [00:08:39] stronghold for peace in the 21st [00:08:41] century. [00:08:42] >> Also very much in the news today, Hamas. [00:08:45] Four different State of the Union [00:08:46] addresses have included specific [00:08:48] mentions of Hamas. One of those speeches [00:08:50] was by President Biden and the other [00:08:53] three speeches were from President [00:08:54] George W. Bush. Here's 2006. [00:08:58] >> Raising up a democracy requires the rule [00:09:00] of law and protection of minorities and [00:09:02] strong accountable institutions that [00:09:04] last longer than a single vote. [00:09:08] The great people of Egypt have voted in [00:09:09] a multi-party presidential election. And [00:09:12] now their government should open paths [00:09:14] of peaceful opposition that will reduce [00:09:17] the appeal of radicalism. [00:09:20] The Palestinian people have voted in [00:09:22] elections and now the leaders of Hamas [00:09:26] must recognize Israel, disarm, reject [00:09:29] terrorism, and work for lasting peace. [00:09:32] [applause] [00:09:36] One more clip from that speech by [00:09:38] President Bush 20 years ago. We heard [00:09:40] President Reagan in 1984 say, "Tonight, [00:09:43] I want to speak to the people of the [00:09:44] Soviet Union." In 2006, President Bush [00:09:48] spoke to the people of a different [00:09:49] country. [00:09:50] >> Tonight, let me speak directly to the [00:09:52] citizens of Iran. [00:09:55] America respects you and we respect your [00:09:57] country. We respect your right to choose [00:10:00] your own future and win your own [00:10:02] freedom. [00:10:04] and our nation hopes one day to be the [00:10:06] closest of friends with a free and [00:10:09] democratic Iran. [applause] [00:10:14] >> By the way, has that rhetorical device [00:10:17] speaking directly to the citizens of a [00:10:19] different country been used yet another [00:10:21] time in a State of the Union address? [00:10:23] Well, yes. Same country, same president, [00:10:27] one year earlier. [00:10:29] And to the Iranian people, I say [00:10:31] tonight, as you stand for your own [00:10:34] liberty, America stands with you. [00:10:44] Next, 10 years later, President Barack [00:10:46] Obama, 2015. It's the first appearance [00:10:49] in a State of the Union address by [00:10:52] someone we talk about all the time [00:10:53] today, Vladimir Putin. We're [00:10:56] demonstrating the power of American [00:10:57] strength and diplomacy. [00:11:01] We're upholding the principle that [00:11:03] bigger nations can't bully the small by [00:11:06] opposing Russian aggression and [00:11:07] supporting Ukraine's democracy and [00:11:09] reassuring our NATO allies. [applause] [00:11:21] >> [applause] [00:11:26] >> Last year, as we were doing the hard [00:11:28] work of imposing sanctions along with [00:11:30] our allies, as we were reinforcing our [00:11:33] presence [00:11:36] with the frontline states, [00:11:38] Mr. Putin's aggression, it was [00:11:40] suggested, was a masterful display of [00:11:43] strategy and strength. That's what I [00:11:44] heard from some folks. [00:11:47] Well, today it is America that stands [00:11:49] strong and united with our allies while [00:11:51] Russia is isolated with its economy in [00:11:54] tatters. [00:11:56] That's how America leads. Not with [00:11:58] bluster, but with persistent, steady [00:12:01] resolve. [00:12:04] [applause] [00:12:09] Which brings us to President Trump [00:12:11] talking foreign policy and Venezuela and [00:12:14] the end of Nicholas Maduro. The 2026 [00:12:17] State of the Union address. Nope, not [00:12:20] yet. Here's President Trump in 2020. We [00:12:23] are supporting the hopes of Cubans, [00:12:25] Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to restore [00:12:28] democracy. The United States is leading [00:12:31] a 59 nation diplomatic coalition against [00:12:35] the socialist dictator of Venezuela, [00:12:38] Nicholas Maduro. [00:12:41] [applause] [00:12:49] [applause] [00:12:53] Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a [00:12:56] tyrant who brutalizes his people. But [00:12:59] Maduro's grip on tyranny will be smashed [00:13:02] and broken. [00:13:04] Here this evening is a very brave man [00:13:08] who carries with him the hopes, dreams, [00:13:10] and aspirations of all Venezuelans. [00:13:14] Joining us in the gallery is the true [00:13:16] and legitimate president of Venezuela, [00:13:19] Juan Guyaido. Mr. [00:13:21] >> [cheering] [00:13:21] >> President, please take this message back [00:13:23] to your family. [applause] [00:13:30] [applause] [00:13:34] [applause] [00:13:41] [applause] [00:13:47] >> [applause] [00:13:51] [applause] [00:13:55] >> Thank you, Mr. President. Great honor. [00:13:58] Thank you very much. [00:14:00] Please take this message back that all [00:14:02] Americans are united with the Venezuelan [00:14:05] people in their righteous struggle for [00:14:08] freedom. Thank you very much, Mr. [00:14:10] President. [00:14:14] And a footnote to that clip, at the end [00:14:16] of President Trump's 2020 State of the [00:14:18] Union address, Democratic House Speaker [00:14:20] Nancy Pelosi famously and angrily and [00:14:23] dramatically ripped up her copy of the [00:14:25] text. But in that Venezuela clip, when [00:14:28] President Trump talked about removing [00:14:30] Maduro, Speaker Pelosi stood up and [00:14:33] applauded. Finally, one more hot spot [00:14:35] still in the news, Gaza. Here's [00:14:37] President Biden. 2024. [00:14:40] A temporary pier will enable a massive [00:14:43] increase in the amount of humanitarian [00:14:44] assistance getting into Gaza every day. [00:14:53] And Israel must do its part. [applause] [00:14:58] Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and [00:15:00] ensure humanitarian workers aren't [00:15:02] caught in the crossfire. [00:15:03] >> [applause] [00:15:04] >> They're announcing they're going to [00:15:07] they're going to call have a crossing in [00:15:09] northern Gaza. For the leadership of the [00:15:12] Israel, I say this, humanitarian [00:15:14] assistance cannot be a secondary [00:15:16] consideration or a bargaining chip. [00:15:19] Protecting and saving innocent lives has [00:15:21] to be a priority. As we look to the [00:15:23] future, the only real solution to the [00:15:26] situation is a two-state solution over [00:15:29] time. [applause] [00:15:32] And a historical footnote to why State [00:15:34] of Union speeches matter, or at least [00:15:35] for foreign policy. We open with [00:15:38] President Reagan in 1983. Let's go 20 [00:15:41] years earlier, 1963. [00:15:43] Here's President John F. Kennedy. [00:15:46] >> In the world beyond our borders, steady [00:15:49] progress has been made in building a [00:15:50] world of order. The people of West [00:15:53] Berlin remain free and secure. [00:15:57] [applause] [00:16:01] A settlement, though still precarious, [00:16:03] has been reached in Laos. The spear [00:16:06] point of aggression has been blunted in [00:16:09] South Vietnam. [00:16:12] >> President Kennedy's assertion that [00:16:13] aggression has been blunted in Vietnam [00:16:15] is notable. US combat troops officially [00:16:18] left Vietnam 10 years later. The end of [00:16:21] direct American military involvement in [00:16:22] the Vietnam War came on March 29th, [00:16:24] 1973. [00:16:26] Two years after that, Saigon fell. It [00:16:29] was three presidents after JFK. Oh, and [00:16:32] one more historical footnote regarding [00:16:34] State of the Union addresses and foreign [00:16:36] policy and countries in the news right [00:16:38] now. Denmark. There have been 39 [00:16:41] specific mentions of Denmark going back [00:16:43] to 1811 and President James Madison, [00:16:47] most recently 2004 and President Bush. [00:16:50] But what about Greenland? So far, no [00:16:53] president has ever mentioned Greenland [00:16:55] in the State of the Union address. Yet [00:16:57] another reason to pay attention to this [00:16:59] year's speech. And now, a bonus clip. [00:17:01] We've heard America's leaders talking to [00:17:03] the US Congress about Iran. But what [00:17:06] about Iran's leaders talking to the US [00:17:08] Congress about Iran? Well, that has [00:17:11] happened. April 12th, 1962, a joint [00:17:15] meeting of Congress. Here's Muhammad [00:17:17] Resa Palavi, the Shaw of Iran. America [00:17:21] gave us generous and valuable financial [00:17:24] and military assistance, thus greatly [00:17:28] facilitating our task in the [00:17:30] implementation of our vast economic and [00:17:33] general development and security plans [00:17:36] for which I wish to express to you our [00:17:39] deep gratitude and sincerest thanks. [00:17:51] We are absolutely certain that the [00:17:54] freedom and security of peoples around [00:17:56] the world as well as your own security [00:18:00] depend upon the will and determination [00:18:03] of the American people to continue with [00:18:06] the struggle without flagging. We hope [00:18:09] that you decide as you have in the past [00:18:12] that it is worthwhile. But I can assure [00:18:15] you that whatever you your decision may [00:18:18] be that the people of Iran have not [00:18:21] maintained their freedom for 2500 years [00:18:25] in order to now surrender. [00:18:30] >> And now a rare second bonus clip. [00:18:33] Returning to President Bush's 1993 State [00:18:35] of the Union address. In his single [00:18:37] term, President Bush kept busy with [00:18:39] foreign policy. the collapse of the [00:18:41] Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War, [00:18:43] the expansion of NATO, German [00:18:45] reunification, the signing of Star One [00:18:48] and Star Two, the invasion of Panama to [00:18:50] capture Manuel Noriega, and the Gulf [00:18:53] War. He even scored a State of the Union [00:18:56] opening laugh based on foreign policy. [00:18:58] From the most unlikely of sources, Japan [00:19:01] and vomit. Visiting Japan in early 1992, [00:19:05] President Bush threw up on the trousers [00:19:07] of the Japanese prime minister. And [00:19:09] that's how he opened his 1992 State of [00:19:12] the Union address. [00:19:14] >> You know, with the big buildup this [00:19:17] address has had, I I um want to make [00:19:20] sure it'd be a big hit, but I couldn't [00:19:22] convince Barbara to deliver it for me. [00:19:25] Hi. [00:19:27] Hi. [00:19:30] Yeah. [00:19:32] [applause] [00:19:37] [applause] [00:19:46] [applause] [00:19:49] I see the speaker and the vice president [00:19:51] are laughing. [00:19:53] They saw what I did in Japan and they're [00:19:56] just happy they're sitting behind me. I [00:19:58] uh I [00:20:01] >> That's it for this episode of C-SPAN's [00:20:02] Extreme Ortman. A reminder to watch [00:20:05] President Trump's 2026 State of the [00:20:06] Union address on C-SPAN and listen on [00:20:09] C-SPAN radio and the Democratic response [00:20:12] as well. Because if the past is any [00:20:14] guide, the foreign policy we hear now [00:20:16] may be with us for a long time. [00:20:19] Meanwhile, check out C-SPAN's website to [00:20:21] find video of presidents delivering [00:20:23] State of the Union addresses going back [00:20:25] to President Franklin Roosevelt, January [00:20:28] 6th, 1942. It was FDR's first State of [00:20:31] the Union address during wartime. [00:20:34] We are fighting to cleanse the world of [00:20:38] ancient evils, ancient ills. Our enemies [00:20:43] are guided by brutal cynicism, by unholy [00:20:48] contempt for the human race. [00:20:52] We are inspired by a faith that goes [00:20:56] back through all the years to the first [00:20:59] chapter of the book of Genesis. God [00:21:03] created man in his own image. [00:21:08] We on our side are striving to be true [00:21:12] to that divine heritage. [00:21:15] We are fighting as our fathers have [00:21:17] fought to uphold the doctrine that all [00:21:21] men are equal in the sight of God. Those [00:21:26] on the other side are striving to [00:21:29] destroy this deep belief and to create a [00:21:34] world in their own image. A world of [00:21:39] tyranny and cruelty and certain. [00:21:45] That is the conflict that day and night [00:21:48] now pervades our lives. [00:21:52] No compromise can end that conflict. [00:21:57] There never has been, there never can be [00:22:00] successful compromise between good and [00:22:03] evil. Only [00:22:06] only total victory can reward the [00:22:10] champions of tolerance and decency [00:22:15] and freedom [00:22:17] and faith.