Directeur33
06-07-2009, 19:27
WASHINGTON - The game of chess is mainly about strategy, reading your opponent's mind and predicting his next moves. But more importantly, it is about a good start, smart, calculated moves and a spectacular finish.
Barack Obama's presidency has generated much-needed optimism and infused an aura of confidence and goodwill between the US and the Arab and Muslim world.
It is a breath of fresh air to have his diametrically different approach, as opposed to the heavy-handed, ideologically-driven neoconservative policies of wars, misadventures and occupations during the George W. Bush years.
Obama comes across as something of a healer for the region, or that is what the people here hope. He comes to heal the wounds and remove the scars inflicted by the Bush administration.
Both the US and the region are looking beyond Bush and are willing to give Obama the benefit of doubt, since things could not get worse than they already are. Both Arabs and Americans are looking forward to a new beginning.
But such hope might be snuffed out if the Obama administration fails in its test, and wavers over its promise of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because of the Jewish state's belligerence and transgression.
This would be seen by the people of the region as a sign of US weakness rather than Israeli strength.
The mantra of change which carried Obama to the White House - the first non-white president with a Muslim father, with 'Hussain' as his middle name - and his realism could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It would be a pity to not take advantage of it.
Obama amplified and exhibited the change and engaged the region earlier than expected. His moves, gestures, comments and speeches were soothing and validated the region's optimism.
In his first few days in office, Obama appointed the moderate George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy; he underscored his administration's firm position on the two-state solution.
His first interview to any news outlet was to Al Arabiya. His realistic and rational position led him to announce a pullout from Iraq, a war he opposed from the start. He vowed to pull the troops out in 16 months.
So far he seems to have fulfilled his promise. He has vowed to shut down the Guantanamo prison within a year, which garnered him a lot of respect from Muslims and human rights advocates and organisations.
Obama's speech to the Turkish parliament and his speech at Cairo University last month have messages of reconciliation and accommodation and recognition of the greatness of Islam as a religion and Muslims as a people. This was most welcomed by Arabs and Muslims all over the world.
The trouble front for the Obama administration seems to be its war of choice; Afghanistan, where American troops are engaged and pushing deeper into the Taliban stronghold of Helmand, which could prove destabilising and rob the US of much of the gains and advances in the battle for the hearts and minds of Arabs and Muslims.
This is an ongoing military operation. But the longer it lasts - and the more civilian casualties it inflicts - the greater the damage will be to America's image.
The other chess manoeuvre by Obama was his cool and calculated move to open up to Syria, and sending an ambassador to remove Damascus from Iran's orbit.
The Obama administration also rebuffed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and called off a meeting last week between Mitchell and Netanyahu because of Israel's intransigent position and its refusal to freeze colony-building in the West Bank. This was received well in the region.
But the onus is on forcing Israelis to accept the two-state solution. More is needed to nudge, even push the Israelis kicking and screaming to sign on to Obama's vision of two states.
The hope is that Obama's chess moves will end with a checkmate and a victory which both sides are hoping to achieve.
But there are players and actors in the region and beyond who are bent on undoing all the effort. If that happens, which it could, then it would be a pity. Hardliners will have their way and drag the region towards mayhem and violence.
If that happens, then it would end the dreams and hopes of the region and the realists in Washington. This will seal and vindicate the belief that Israel runs Washington's foreign policy vis-a-vis the Middle East.
Not even Obama could make the change and the needed difference. That could be a fatal fall which will have a generational impact on the region.
Chess is an unpredictable game. The most important move is the last one, and we will follow and see who will win after all these moves.
http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/region/10328789.html
Barack Obama's presidency has generated much-needed optimism and infused an aura of confidence and goodwill between the US and the Arab and Muslim world.
It is a breath of fresh air to have his diametrically different approach, as opposed to the heavy-handed, ideologically-driven neoconservative policies of wars, misadventures and occupations during the George W. Bush years.
Obama comes across as something of a healer for the region, or that is what the people here hope. He comes to heal the wounds and remove the scars inflicted by the Bush administration.
Both the US and the region are looking beyond Bush and are willing to give Obama the benefit of doubt, since things could not get worse than they already are. Both Arabs and Americans are looking forward to a new beginning.
But such hope might be snuffed out if the Obama administration fails in its test, and wavers over its promise of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because of the Jewish state's belligerence and transgression.
This would be seen by the people of the region as a sign of US weakness rather than Israeli strength.
The mantra of change which carried Obama to the White House - the first non-white president with a Muslim father, with 'Hussain' as his middle name - and his realism could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It would be a pity to not take advantage of it.
Obama amplified and exhibited the change and engaged the region earlier than expected. His moves, gestures, comments and speeches were soothing and validated the region's optimism.
In his first few days in office, Obama appointed the moderate George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy; he underscored his administration's firm position on the two-state solution.
His first interview to any news outlet was to Al Arabiya. His realistic and rational position led him to announce a pullout from Iraq, a war he opposed from the start. He vowed to pull the troops out in 16 months.
So far he seems to have fulfilled his promise. He has vowed to shut down the Guantanamo prison within a year, which garnered him a lot of respect from Muslims and human rights advocates and organisations.
Obama's speech to the Turkish parliament and his speech at Cairo University last month have messages of reconciliation and accommodation and recognition of the greatness of Islam as a religion and Muslims as a people. This was most welcomed by Arabs and Muslims all over the world.
The trouble front for the Obama administration seems to be its war of choice; Afghanistan, where American troops are engaged and pushing deeper into the Taliban stronghold of Helmand, which could prove destabilising and rob the US of much of the gains and advances in the battle for the hearts and minds of Arabs and Muslims.
This is an ongoing military operation. But the longer it lasts - and the more civilian casualties it inflicts - the greater the damage will be to America's image.
The other chess manoeuvre by Obama was his cool and calculated move to open up to Syria, and sending an ambassador to remove Damascus from Iran's orbit.
The Obama administration also rebuffed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and called off a meeting last week between Mitchell and Netanyahu because of Israel's intransigent position and its refusal to freeze colony-building in the West Bank. This was received well in the region.
But the onus is on forcing Israelis to accept the two-state solution. More is needed to nudge, even push the Israelis kicking and screaming to sign on to Obama's vision of two states.
The hope is that Obama's chess moves will end with a checkmate and a victory which both sides are hoping to achieve.
But there are players and actors in the region and beyond who are bent on undoing all the effort. If that happens, which it could, then it would be a pity. Hardliners will have their way and drag the region towards mayhem and violence.
If that happens, then it would end the dreams and hopes of the region and the realists in Washington. This will seal and vindicate the belief that Israel runs Washington's foreign policy vis-a-vis the Middle East.
Not even Obama could make the change and the needed difference. That could be a fatal fall which will have a generational impact on the region.
Chess is an unpredictable game. The most important move is the last one, and we will follow and see who will win after all these moves.
http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/region/10328789.html