Judging Barack Obama By His Actions

Obama delivered his speech with nothing earth-shattering. But his confession to his predecessor Bush leaves open questions.

Whoever was hoping that Obama would say something earth-shattering about the “Arab-bellion” got disappointed. It is good, though, that the brilliant speaker is not only judged by his pathos anymore but also by his actions. The fight against terrorism made a breakthrough with the death of Osama bin Laden and the Arabic rebellions give hope that one country or another may develop in the right — meaning Western and democratic — direction.

Obama wants to give countries like Egypt or Tunisia financial aid, a strategy which has a mystical name: “Marshall Plan.” It is fascinating how alike Obama has become to his predecessor Bush and Bush’s Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

They always saw the democratization of the Middle East as a possible thing to strive for. Whether the Palestinian issue belongs in this conversation is questionable. The Israeli prime minister, who is currently on a state visit in the U.S., is especially sensitive.