Living in Vancouver (Canada), I was witness to a Global Democratic Convention that took place here of expat Americans who were less ambivalent about who they would like to see as the leader of their homeland - there were an overwhelming number of Obama t-shirts. Too bad CNN wasn't covering these Americans abroad (though news from New Zealand covered it http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/1707144 as did a number of Canadian outlets) - but it is interesting to see the choice of people who are subject to the world's opinion of Amerca. It definitely makes a difference to the way they are perceived - whether it is fair or not. The reputation and integrity of their country's leader reflects on them, and they rather have the badge of Obama representing their character - which says quite a lot. If only Americans cared - maybe they would if they knew....
Dear American Voter...
Although people in the Middle East cannot vote in the U.S. presidential primaries, the Arab media is providing daily coverage of the ongoing duel between Clinton and Obama. Less attention is being paid to McCain, except for when he makes outrageous remarks, such as his statement about keeping the troops in Iraq for "a hundred years."
Interestingly enough, many Arab pundits have dubbed the U.S. election process as "Electing the Emperor."
On a recent trip I made to Jordan and Syria, I was somewhat surprised to learn that most people I interviewed saw no difference between Clinton and Obama; when it came to the Middle East, to them "the lesser of the two evils is still evil." The people I spoke with who did have hope for how the Middle East will change after the election focused entirely on the Democrats -- it seems that in the rest of the world a bias against the Republicans is almost universal.
One Iraqi refugee I met in Syria pointed out that there's nothing really new or special about an African American or a female leader for the U.S.; after all, Condoleezza Rice has been visiting for a while now, with no happy results. What concerns many people in the Middle East, as much as the war in Iraq, is what they perceive as a one-sided U.S. policy in favor of Israel.
Meanwhile, as American voters eagerly await another round of Clinton vs. Obama, images of death and destruction in Iraq and Gaza continue to haunt Arab living rooms and speak to a dismal future. One Jordanian I spoke to hoped for a new "emperor or empress" who will someday end these horrific images that Arabs are subjected to on a daily basis.
View more global perspectives on the U.S. elections on Dear American Voter
Jamal Dajani produces the Mosaic Intelligence Report on Link TV
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Both canidates have been FORCED to pledge there undying support for the state of Israel. Its the WRONG position to have but its the one they are FORCED to take. Clearly the people in the Middle East who are not fortunate enough to be Jewish or Israeli are still considered COLATERAL DAMAGE victims hardly worth crying over if they die in the defense of "Our Interest".
Regardless of who is elected, they will continue to live in terror of a fierce pro-Israel America doing anything and everything in the name of maintaining a Jewish Majority on that small strip of land. Since they are not of the privlidged ethinic/religious group they must accept the possibility of being bombed and constantly accused of hating America, hating Jews, hating freedom, and a whole bunch of religious slurs (Check Micheal Savage and Jewish Task Force). I feel sorry for Arabs they have been made into the oppressed minority while being the majority in the region. Its amazing what Wealth, Power, and threats of violence can do to override the will of a population.
Thanks for the very interesting blog. Certainly the current Emperor has lost his clothes.
The problem is that he does not know it...
What can I say? Your instincts are correct. All the candidates are evil when it comes to the ME. And you are right, it doesn't matter what you do. You can be as peaceful as lambs, and the US government will still demonize you. But the hopeful thing is that the general agreement is a fiction, and that a larger segment of the US population can see the inustice. For my entire life, the government has been telling me that there is one set of rules for the group 1 and another for group 2. I have never believed this. There are many of us who believe in universal human rights. What we need are brave politicians. And no candidate in this election has shown that kind of bravery.
Americans are very UScentric...since when have we paid much attention to the rest of the world? Do you think that the candidates care about how many Iraqis are dead due to the war?
I can totally understand their frustrations with the current adminstration and the republican candidate. I am also surprised of their skepticism towards Obama and Clinton.
Why? They are all virtually the same and neither Obama or Clinton will alter the current state of foreign affairs enough to cause even a ripple. If the war does wind down Americans will resume their sleep and not give the Middle East a second thought. It is a shame what we have done to this once great nation. No longer are we the envy of any country. It is still a melting pot but instead of shared commonalities most people live in "little nations" not singing the praises of the US any longer. No, Obama or Clinton will not change much. Becoming president seems more important than being president. Let's use campaign funds to clean up New Orleans or provide vets with the care they deserve. There is no reason to spend millions on a campaign any more than to spend it killing Iraqis. The US is in desperate shape.
The cost of the campaigns pale in comparison to the cost of the war. One or two days of the Iraq war would cover all the campaign expenses to date.
Obama is certainly saying he will dramatically change our foreign policy. He provides plenty of specifics in this speech but I can only give you a small sample.
The War We Need to Win
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/remarks_of_senator_obama_the_w_1.php
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As President, I will make it a focus of my foreign policy to roll back the tide of hopelessness that gives rise to hate. Freedom must mean freedom from fear, not the freedom of anarchy. I will never shrug my shoulders and say -- as Secretary Rumsfeld did -- "Freedom is untidy." I will focus our support on helping nations build independent judicial systems, honest police forces, and financial systems that are transparent and accountable. Freedom must also mean freedom from want, not freedom lost to an empty stomach. So I will make poverty reduction a key part of helping other nations reduce anarchy.
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In the first 100 days of my Administration, I will travel to a major Islamic forum and deliver an address to redefine our struggle. I will make clear that we are not at war with Islam, that we will stand with those who are willing to stand up for their future, and that we need their effort to defeat the prophets of hate and violence.
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I think an Obama presidency will start reversing the damage caused to America's image abroad. An image based on multiculturalism, tolarence and understanding. The past years of Bushism destroyed our image all over the world and not only in the Middle East.
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Posted April 21, 2008 | 08:05 PM (EST)