March 24th, 2011
03:13 PM ET
Picture of the week WASHINGTON (CNN) - The first family touring Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday March 20.
March 23rd, 2011
07:00 AM ET
March 21st, 2011
05:44 PM ET
Obama authorizing force in Libya: a timelineSANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) - There's no more serious decision for any commander-in-chief than to authorize the use of military force. While President Obama inherited two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military operation in Libya is the first new operation he has authorized since taking office. Here's an inside look into how the president and his administration handled this important task as he was about to embark on a five day trip through Latin America. FRIDAY, MARCH 18 9:00 a.m. ET: National Security Advisor Donilon holds a secure conference call with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen on Libya diplomatic and military planning after U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 passed the night before, authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and to use all necessary means to protect civilians. 
March 20th, 2011
10:26 PM ET
First Family visits iconic Rio landmark(CNN) – Following a day of soccer and samba in a favela, and with their time in Brazil running short, the First Family made a visit to the iconic ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue in Rio de Janiero Sunday evening. Originally scheduled for Sunday morning, the visit was moved back because of an expected heavy fog in the morning, as well as an added secure phone call for the President and his national security team to discuss the latest information regarding military operations underway in Libya. Chit chatting, and holding hands along the way, the family walked up to the base of the statue for a few moments to take it in, and then ventured a few steps over to look at the vast valley of flickering lights and houses below that make up Rio. They were joined by Mrs. Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, and Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's senior advisor. 
March 20th, 2011
06:38 PM ET
Obama works to shore up Arab support for Libya missionRIO de JANEIRO, Brazil - President Obama and his national security team worked behind the scenes Sunday to try and shore up support within the Arab world for the military mission in Libya. Top White House aides reached out to officials of the Arab League to insist the bombing does not exceed the scope of the United Nations mandate, according to senior administration officials. The senior officials described the Obama team's phone calls as making clear to the Arab League that bombing Moammar Gadhafi's air defenses falls within the U.N. Security Council resolution's scope of imposing a no-fly zone and taking "all necessary measures" to stop the dictator from attacking civilians in his own country. "We don't believe this goes beyond the resolution," said one senior administration official in describing the White House's message to the Arab League. The lobbying came after Arab League officials complained earlier Sunday that the bombing by the U.S. military and other allies inside Libya exceeded the scope of merely instituting a no-fly zone. 
March 20th, 2011
04:00 PM ET
Obama Rio re-bound for 2016 olympicsRIO de JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) – It looks like President Obama plans to return to Rio. During his address to the people of Brazil, Obama made this comment: "Now you may be aware that this city was not my first choice for the Summer Olympics. But if the Games could not be held in Chicago, there's no place I'd rather see them than right here in Rio. And I intend to come back in 2016 to watch what happens." Chicago was one of four finalists to host the 2016 summer games. The president and first lady traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2009 to support the bid, but their hometown lost to Rio de Janeiro. The real question is will he fly commercial or will he still be riding aboard Air Force One? 
March 20th, 2011
03:58 PM ET
Obama barely mentions Libya as Boehner demands detailsRIO de JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) - As the massive bombardment of Libya continued for a second day over 5,000 miles away from here, President Obama delivered a speech that did not mention any specifics about the U.S. role in the military action despite Republican demands for him to better define the mission. "We’ve seen the people of Libya take a courageous stand against a regime determined to brutalize its own citizens," Obama said in a 25-minute address that only briefly mentioned Libya. "Across the region, we have seen young people rise up – a new generation demanding the right to determine their own future," added Obama. "From the beginning, we have made clear that the change they seek must be driven by their own people." The speech came as Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) released a sharply-worded statement in Washington pressing Obama to more clearly define the military mission for the American people. "Before any further military commitments are made, the administration must do a better job of communicating to the American people and to Congress about our mission in Libya and how it will be achieved," Boehner said in the prepared statement.  White House Photo /Pete Souza
March 20th, 2011
02:39 PM ET
Obama briefed on Libya in BrazilWASHINGTON (CNN) - This morning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Obama was briefed by secure conference call on the military operations going on in Libya. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon (on right) and Chief of Staff Bill Daley (on left) were with him in Brazil. A read-out of the call provided by the White House after the jump. 
March 20th, 2011
01:18 PM ET
Obama scores with Brazilian youthRIO de JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) - He may not be ready for World Cup 2014 in Brazil but President Obama showed kids in Rio de Janeiro he can do more than just dribble a basketball. The president and his family watched kids playing soccer, known to the world as football or futebol in Portuguese, on a cement playground while visiting the "City of God" (Cidade de Deus) Favela. A group of pre-teen boys formed a half circle around Obama and took turns passing the ball with him. First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, who are on Easter break from school, managed to kick the ball around a few times in their ballet flats. FULL POST 
March 19th, 2011
07:28 PM ET
Obama: Gadhafi's 'actions have consequences'Brasilia, Brazil (CNN) - President Obama defended his decision to authorize U.S. involvement in the military action in Libya by casting himself as a reluctant warrior, saying he and other key U.S. allies had no choice but to act because of fears that Moammar Gadhafi was planning to kill more of his own people. "I want the American people to know that the use of force is not our first choice and it's not a choice that I make lightly," said Obama. "But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy, and his forces step up their assaults on cities like Benghazi and Misurata, where innocent men and women face brutality and death at the hands of their own government." Obama added pointedly: "Actions have consequences, and the writ of the international community must be enforced. That is the cause of this coalition." |
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