John Kerry takes a stab at explaining why he and Obama skipped the giant Paris march against terrorism
On Sunday, an estimated 1.6 million people marched in Paris in a show of unity after last week's terrorist attacks that killed 17 people, not including the three Islamist terrorists killed by police. Attending were the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, and Jordan, along with more than 30 other presidents and prime ministers.
Not in attendance was any high-ranking U.S. official, raising eyebrows at least in the U.S. (In France, Reuters reports, the fact that the U.S. was represented by Ambassador Jane Hartley was met with shrugs, and "one French TV commentator said the president's visit would have been unthinkable given the level of security that accompanies him at home and abroad.") Attorney General Eric Holder was in Paris for other related events, but didn't attend the rally.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, on an official visit to India, said he is traveling to Paris on Thursday and Friday but dismissed the criticism that neither he, President Obama, nor Vice President Joe Biden attended the march. "The United States has been deeply engaged with France from the moment this horrific event took place," including sharing sharing intelligence, he said. "And I really think, you know, this is sort of quibbling a little bit."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Echoing several other U.S. commentators, CNN's Fareed Zakaria said not sending a senior U.S. official was a mistake, noting that security concerns didn't keep other world leaders from attending. Still, he said, the absence showed that the fight against radical Islam isn't "all about America." "Many people have tended to think that Islamic terrorism wouldn't exist without America," he added. "This is really a struggle between the civilized world and a band of extremists."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Is the death penalty racist? Of course it is.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 8, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - social media guilt, gag orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Boy Scouts changes name to Scouting America
Speed Read The organization is rebranding, citing inclusivity
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Michigan shooter's dad guilty of manslaughter
speed read James Crumbley failed to prevent his son from killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Shooting at Chiefs victory rally kills 1, injures 21
Speed Read Gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade in Missouri
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published