Obama in the White House

To begin with, the fabulous ceremony to inaugurate the 44th president of USA, Barack Obama, marks the dawning of a new stage for the country and its people after having lost the democracy that enjoyed prosperity and freedom, and was the emblem of justice, peace and self determination.

Obama understood these feelings of the Americans during his campaign, which brought him to the oval office. He is trying to breathe life back into the American dream. During his inaugural speech, he talked about a new era of responsibility that has serious meaning to African Americans, and after taking the oath, described the act as “most sacred” of an American presidency, especially when sixty years ago, blacks were not even able to frequent a local restaurant.

Apparently, the new Democratic Administration enters the White House to face the debris of the Right which had disposed the ordinary American citizen of hope for the future, demolished all American values and principles, created the spite and enmity of foreign policy, drove away U.S. allies and friends, and brought back the Yankee image to the world’s mind. Now, the new administration attempts to revive hope in a new time, remembering America’s responsibility towards its citizens and to the world. Barack Obama has called for the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camp. In addition, all other CIA jails must stop wire-tapping and other related measures, which bridles and violates freedom. President Obama also plans to talk with American military commanders about pulling back the American troops from Iraq in an organized way.

And amid Obama’s uneasiness with the international economic crisis and the great impact it is having on his country and people, the new American president’s concerns about the domestic issues are intertwined with the foreign ones. Peace in the Middle East and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has jumped to the top of the U.S. foreign policy agenda, along with the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and the current situation in Afghanistan; ultimately with the aim of coming to a peaceful and just settlement in this region of turmoil.

If we tackled the very particular conflict of the Middle East and that of Palestine, we would see that Obama fully understands that peace efforts shall require swift actions to get back the rights of the Palestinians and reconcile their state. This comes by his appointing George Mitchell, a veteran in peace negotiations in Ireland, to be the delegate to the Middle East. America would surely exchange views with its regional allies, with Egypt at the top, to help push the peace march and bring stability to the region. For this, Obama, in his address after Hillary Clinton’s assuming her Secretary of State position, highly esteemed the role Egypt played to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. And in his phone call, Obama expressed to the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, his country’s appreciation of Egypt’s views and looks forward to their collaboration in laying the groundwork of comprehensive peace.

In fact, George Mitchell shall start his moves after the Israeli elections next February, with the new Israeli primary taking place at the end of March, to report to Washington at the beginning of April. However, the new American administration presently seeks to aid a long truce, support Egypt’s efforts of humanitarian aid to the Gazans, and pressure Israel to evacuate the Strip and completely open the crossing points according to a 2005 pact. The U.S. is backing the Egyptian initiative and agreeing with its calls for an international conference for rehabilitating Gaza, and supporting the gathering the Palestinian ranks under the parasol of one united national authority–answerable for all the conventions and obligations of the truce- to restore peace and order. The administration is aiding the efforts of rehabilitation and distributing aids under the international auspices, and believing it is better to be handled by the U.N.

In spite of Obama’s description of the Arab initiative as constructive for peace, Egyptian and Arab diplomacy have to clarify the situation in the region for the American leadership. Evidently, Obama talked in his speech about Egypt’s commitment to stop smuggling arms via its borders, something Israel circulates, which led to the security agreement the U.S. signed with Israel that Egypt considered, although it does not warrant any obligations whatsoever. Egypt also stressed that it would not allow the presence of any international inspectors within its borders and explained to the new administration that it is solely responsible for protecting its borders and destroying the tunnels it discovers, while Israel is thoroughly answerable for the other side, due to its being its invader. Simultaneously, Egypt revealed it has the documents and evidence that weapons are being smuggled via the coasts and territories of Israel and occupied Palestine.

Another thing is Obama’s handling of Arabs’ normalization with Israel. He actually needs to understand that any normal relationships with Israel must be associated with the just and comprehensive peace in the region by fulfilling the Palestinians’ rights and recognizing their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital. Or, conflicts and wars shall erupt again.

In conclusion, the new time of Obama, despite the American historical and strategic obligations towards Israel, can already be a new stage for a responsible America, and we, namely Egypt, Palestinians and Arabs should make the best use of this, so as not to stay waiting for the next American elections!!