1/27/09

In his second week in office President Obama has begun to enact a new approach toward the Middle East and make good on his Inaugural address pledge: “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”  Over the last eight years America’s standing in the Muslim world has collapsed, in large measure due to the war in Iraq, inattention to the Middle East peace process and inflammatory rhetoric about “crusades.”  In contrast, Obama’s special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, departed for the region immediately after his appointment with the blessing of the President and Secretary of State and a clear mandate – to listen and to find ways forward.  One of Obama’s first television interviews, with Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, offered the Muslim world a chance for dialogue and a challenge – to seize the moment for actions that will benefit both sides.  With these actions, US policy returns to the best expression of our interests and values -- a strong alliance with Israel and an open hand and ear to the Muslim world.

Obama’s interview with Al-Arabiya signals an effort to re-engage with the Muslim world.  Obama sent a strong message that he intends to reinvigorate American diplomacy, especially in the Muslim world.  “In one of his first interviews since taking office, Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that ‘the Americans are not your enemy’ and adding that ‘the moment is ripe for both sides’ to negotiate in the Middle East,” reported the New York Times.  “His remarks, recorded in Washington on Monday night, signaled a shift — in style and manner at least — from the Bush administration, offering a dialogue with Iran and what he depicted as a new readiness to listen rather than dictate.”  Obama was also clear to emphasize that his outreach to the Muslim world should not be construed as a sign of changing policy toward Israel, saying that Israel “will not stop being a strong ally of the United States and I will continue to believe that Israel’s security is paramount.”  Rather, the President took the opportunity to emphasize the point “that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that, instead, it’s time to return to the negotiating table.”  [NY Times, 1/27/09. President Obama, 1/26/09]

Amidst renewed fighting along the Gaza border, Special Envoy George Mitchell makes his way to the region.  In a sign of the Obama administration’s commitment to broad Middle East diplomacy,Mitchell embarked on his first trip to the region, where he will visit Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, in addition to regional players France and Great Britain.  According to the Los Angeles Times, “President Obama dispatched his special Middle East envoy on his inaugural peacemaking trip Monday, declaring that former Sen. George J. Mitchell would speak for the White House in a search for ‘progress, not just photo ops.’”  By appearing publicly with Mitchell, as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Obama gave Mitchell credibility at the highest level, declaring, “Now, understand that Sen. Mitchell is going to be fully empowered by me and fully empowered by Secretary Clinton…So when he speaks, he will be speaking for us.”  The Los Angeles Times reported that “Obama hopes Mitchell can identify ways to ‘solidify the cease-fire, ensure Israel's security, also ensure that Palestinians in Gaza are able to get the basic necessities they need and that they can see a pathway towards long-term development that will be so critical in order for us to achieve a lasting peace.’”  [LA Times, 1/27/09. President Obama, 1/26/09]

Bush administration policy of disengagement from the Middle East has proven to be a failure.  The Bush administration’s had a policy of disengagement from the Middle East peace process.  In 2007 the Annapolis conference was a sudden attempt at engagement, resulting in few tangible results. After waiting seven years, the Bush administration’s eleventh hour efforts at Annapolis yielded little progress.  The New York Times editorialized that “The American-led Annapolis peace conference achieved the minimum — a pledge by Israel and the Palestinians to begin immediate negotiations with a goal of reaching a peace treaty by the end of 2008.” Jim Hoagland described the Bush administration’s approach to the Middle East as “A strange brew of wishful thinking and studied inaction passed for George W. Bush's Middle East peace policy for eight years” Daniel Kurtzer, Bush’s first-term Ambassador to Israel, described George W. Bush’s legacy, saying “The sum total is that if you measure Israeli security at the beginning of this administration and at the end of the administration, based on things the president either could have done, should have done or failed to do, the report card is pretty negative.”   [NY Times, 11/28/08. Washington Post, 1/4/09. Washington Post, 5/13/08]

What We’re Reading

Various raids on the Israel-Gaza border threaten the fragile truce. The Gaza war appears to have benefitted Israel’s right-wing politicians most.

The E.U. promises to help the U.S. close Guantanamo, but did not offer specifics such as whether nations would accept ex-detainees.  While attention has been on Guantanamo  Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan presents just as complicated a situation, if not more so.

Islamist forces captured Baidoa, the seat of the Somali parliament, only hours after Ethiopian peacekeeping troops withdrew from the city.

Diyala Province, Iraq, illustrates some of the challenges for the upcoming provincial elections on Saturday, January 31.

Zimbabwe’s opposition party denies reports of a power-sharing deal.

Private Afghan security forces often confuse U.S. troops in combat situations, resulting in firefights.

Protests erupted in Mumbai over “Slumdog Millionaire,” with impoverished local residents claiming the film’s title is an affront on their human rights.

Over 70,000 lost their jobs yesterday in both the U.S. and abroad. Meanwhile, the head of the IMF rebuked China for undervaluing the yuan.

Ongoing gas disputes with Russia increases European interest in alternative pipeline.

Commentary of the Day

Richard Cohen argues for the creation of a blue-ribbon commission with subpoena power to investigate the Bush administration’s use of torture.

Mackubin Thomas Owens says we should develop a flexible military, planning for a combination of conventional and irregular warfare.

A Financial Times piece examines what a Eurozone crisis would look like and “argues that if the EU itself does not become the target of political unrest, some other part of the political system is bound to come under pressure.”