The attacks this week on our diplomats, installations, and diplomatic security personnel have reminded us all of the service these brave Americans render to our country every day. From the deadly attacks on a U.S. diplomatic station in Benghazi, to the attack on our embassy in Cairo, to the attack on our embassy in Yemen.
Four Americans are dead. Our flag is being desecrated.
This is a moment for Americans to show our closest allies in the Middle East that we unequivocally stand with them. No mixed signals. Neither Israel, nor any of our allies, should ever have any reason to doubt that resolve. I am encouraged, for example, that Turkey has condemned the violence in Benghazi.
There is absolutely no justification for what happened in Cairo, Benghazi or Yemen—none. We must do everything within our power to protect our representatives overseas, and hunt down those responsible for these attacks.
This is a grave moment. But America does not shrink from the defense of its core values or its interests overseas. We must project strength.
The unrest in the Middle East —in Libya, Egypt, especially the Sinai, Yemen and Syria — presents a profound and formidable challenge to our interests, to U.S. Central Command and to our allies.
None of our nation’s enemies, Al Qaeda, other violent extremists, Hezbollah, and especially Iran should view this moment as an American window of vulnerability.
Now is the moment to send a clear signal to long standing allies like Israel that they can rely on our support.
And every member of our armed services, diplomatic corps and intelligence community should know that they have our undying support and gratitude in the challenging days ahead.
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