Obama: ‘No External Power Can Bring About a Transformation of Hearts & Minds’

Speaking today at the United Nations, President Obama said America will never be able to solve the problems in the Middle East alone:

Ultimately, the task of rejecting sectarianism and extremism is a generational task – a task for the people of the Middle East themselves.No external power can bring about a transformation of hearts and minds. But America will be a respectful and constructive partner. We will neither tolerate terrorist safe-havens, nor act as an occupying power. Instead, we will take action against threats to our security – and our allies – while building an architecture of counter-terrorism cooperation. We will increase efforts to lift up those who counter extremist ideology, and seek to resolve sectarian conflict. And we will expand our programs to support entrepreneurship, civil society, education and youth – because, ultimately, these investments are the best antidote to violence.