Experts agree that the release of a new tape by Al Qaeda’s second in command Ayman al-Zawahri indicates that Al Qaeda feels threatened and is on its heels after Obama’s resounding victory. President-elect Obama’s diverse background, along with his pledge to reverse many of the policies and approaches of the Bush administration, has served to dramatically improve America’s image, especially in the Muslim world.

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We mark Veterans’ Day in order to honor the men and women who have served our country bravely and sacrifice so much. A new generation of service members returning from Afghanistan and Iraq demands renewed commitment from us to keep society’s promise to them – healthcare and education, but also reintegration into a nation that values their sacrifices and uses them wisely

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Conventional wisdom views national security and foreign policy issues as conservative turf. But over the past few years, and especially in this presidential election, progressives have become more assertive in outlining their own vision of national security. Today progressives are speaking about national security with greater confidence than at any time in recent memory and have consistently demonstrated the inadequacy of the conservative world view.

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Three new National Intelligence Estimates (NIEs) on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq add up to a stunning indictment of conservative foreign policy. Each report, prepared as part of a comprehensive re-evaluation of current U.S. strategy, contains troubling findings for our national security.

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A new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) concludes that Pakistan is “on the edge” and that the situation there is “very bleak.” The Pakistan NIE confirms that Al Qaeda has found a safe haven along the border with Afghanistan and says that the Pakistani government is too weak and divided to take effective action. This rebuffs the past approach advocated by President Bush and supported by Senator McCain. Led by Senator Biden, Progressives have put forth a comprehensive plan that seeks to address the terrorist threat, strengthen Pakistani democracy, and promote economic development.

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John McCain’s positions on critical foreign policy issues such as Iraq, Iran Afghanistan, and Pakistan have all been undermined by the assessments of our intelligence community and members of the military leadership. In a speech this week, General David Petraeus contradicted McCain’s positions on using our Iraq strategy in Afghanistan and on negotiating with our enemies. Additionally, in a damaging critique of the Senator’s bellicosity toward Russia, former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Schultz cautioned that U.S. interests demanded a strong effort to ease tensions with a resurgent Russia.

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Senator McCain’s debate performance yesterday did little to reassure voters about his ability to manage a steady and responsible national security policy. Aside from his gaffe referring to General Petraeus as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, there were serious substantive problems with McCain’s approach.

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Throughout this campaign Senator McCain has failed to lay out concrete plans on some of the most important national security issues before the U.S. McCain has either adopted an incoherent approach, such as with Iran, where he will attack his opponent’s position in one sentence and then agree with it in the next, or replaced policy proposals with empty platitudes about “not surrendering” and achieving “victory” in reference to Iraq and Afghanistan.

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At last night’s debate Governor Palin failed to distinguish Senator McCain’s foreign policy from the failed approach of George W. Bush. Like Bush and McCain, Palin could not enunciate a clear strategy and endgame for how to effectively end the Iraq War. Palin consistently failed to answer questions. She relied heavily on talking points and did not demonstrate that she has a deep understanding of the critical issues of national security.

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