Politics. On Point.

"One of the longest serving dictators is no more", said President Obama on the death of Moammar Qaddafi today in a White House rose garden speech. "This is a momentous day in the history of Libya."  In March of this year the president, delivering remarks to the Nation on Libya at the National Defense University in Washington said, "For more than four decades, the Libyan people have been ruled by a tyrant – Moammar Qaddafi. He has denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world – including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents." The president authorized military action to stop the killing and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973. In a March, 2011 Weekly Address, President Obama said the mission in Libya " is succeeding ". Noting that Qaddafi called the people of Libya 'rats', the president, upon learning  that the Libyan leader ...

CNN is reporting that the 42-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi appeared on the verge of collapse early Monday, with rebel supporters making it to the same Tripoli square where regime loyalists had congregated for months. But in a possible indication that the fight is not over, celebrations in Tripoli's Green Square gave way to tension Monday morning after rebels told CNN that they'd heard Gadhafi army forces were heading their way. CNN could not confirm any movement of Gadhafi forces. A large fire, meanwhile, could be seen rising over the capital around 4 a.m. Monday from about 10 miles (16 kilometers outside the city). The uncertainty came hours after news broke that two of Moammar Gadhafi's sons -- Saif al-Islam and Saadi -- had been arrested by opposition forces. Jumma Ibrahim, a rebel spokesman based in Libya's western mountain region, said both were captured in Tripoli. Being kept abreast of the latest Syrian strife by his John Brennan while vacationing in Martha...

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was met with favor today as she visits the White House to meet with President Obama. The President and Prime Minister will discuss the strong ties between the United States and Australia, their shared political and economic interests in the Asia political and economic interests in the Asia Pacific region, and our work together around the world, including in Afghanistan and as members of APEC and the G20. During their meeting today in the Oval Office with the media President Obama began by expressing condolences for those families affected by recent floods in the area.  The President commended Prime Minister Gillard and her government and all the personnel who were involved for their timely response, and reiterated the support of the U.S. to the Australian people. The President mentioned his upcoming plans to travel to Asia for the East Asia summit, citing the Australian and U.S. shared interest in trade in the Pacific region. T...

President Obama remarked once again on the current events happening in Libya. Said President Obama, "The Libyan government’s continued violation of human rights, brutalization of its people, and outrageous threats have rightly drawn the strong and broad condemnation of the international community. By any measure, Muammar el-Qaddafi’s government has violated international norms and common decency and must be held accountable. These sanctions therefore target the Qaddafi government, while protecting the assets that belong to the people of Libya." Obama spoke earlier today with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, to discuss the situation in Libya and coordinate efforts to respond to developments and ensure appropriate accountability. The President stated that "when a leader’s only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now." Going forward,...