words / ideas prompted by: Obama's Remarks From Jordan
I'm continually impressed with Barack Obama. I think this post needs more than the usual Obama-crazed blogosphere affection, but in due time. In due time.
Here are just some general reactions to parts of the speech:
- I should read political speeches more; most legislators are incredibly thoughtful, well-spoken people. Yet speeches rarely are heard (unless you're one of the 5 people who watches C-Span), and full quotes are rarely published. Media sources interpret for the public; they're translators. And just like a translation of a novel, even the best can't convey the style of the original author. Can't pick up each thought / emotion / phrasing that the speaker articulates. All of this adds up to a subjective interpretation and a different reaction prompted by the reader than the actual speech would have prompted.
- Obama constantly mentions successful foreign policy in the Middle East (and entire world for that matter) as being more than just military action. Eliminating al Qaeda, bringing stability to Iraq, and establishing peace between Israel and Palestine is about much more than just military action. It's about more than aggressive counter-terrorism and policies like The Surge.
For instance; to fight al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan will take more than just shifting troops from Iraq over to these areas. It will take stability in these two states in order to sustain the fight against terrorists. And to bring stability to these states, the US must help Afghanistan and Pakistan bring "economic opportunity for their people."
The same goes for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israelis want security, and economically- frustrated Palestinians who feel they have no opportunities will not ensure Israeli security. Palestinians that feel suffocated, without a chance for bettering themselves economically will react against the establishment that they believe has created this (Israel). And the terrorism that this economic frustration spurs will just perpetuate a cycle of senseless violence between the two sides. Therefore, as Obama says economic opportunities for Palestinians are in the interest of Israeli security and peace between the two. So logical. (side note: What if some of the money donated by wealthy Jewish Americans that funds birthright trips and powerful lobbying organizations instead went to social welfare and education programs for economically-disadvantaged Palestinians (and Israelis))?
Lastly, Obama talks extensively about how for stability in Iraq there must be significant political progress (specifically in reconciliation between rival groups that distrust one another). In addition, economic opportunities must be created for Iraqis and growing national wealth created by skyrocketing oil prices must be spent wisely and productively. So while The Surge (starring Steven Seagal) may have "worked" in the eyes of most, the solution to domestic and international problems ultimately cannot be accomplished solely by the military.
9/11 can be an example of a failure to do provide economic opportunity. Highly educated Saudis with little economic opportunity living under a US-funded autocratic government were filtered into religious extremism. When they looked around and saw that their lack of opportunity was made possible, in part, by the US funding the decadent, oppressive House of Saud, they targeted US.
The same goes for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israelis want security, and economically- frustrated Palestinians who feel they have no opportunities will not ensure Israeli security. Palestinians that feel suffocated, without a chance for bettering themselves economically will react against the establishment that they believe has created this (Israel). And the terrorism that this economic frustration spurs will just perpetuate a cycle of senseless violence between the two sides. Therefore, as Obama says economic opportunities for Palestinians are in the interest of Israeli security and peace between the two. So logical. (side note: What if some of the money donated by wealthy Jewish Americans that funds birthright trips and powerful lobbying organizations instead went to social welfare and education programs for economically-disadvantaged Palestinians (and Israelis))?
Lastly, Obama talks extensively about how for stability in Iraq there must be significant political progress (specifically in reconciliation between rival groups that distrust one another). In addition, economic opportunities must be created for Iraqis and growing national wealth created by skyrocketing oil prices must be spent wisely and productively. So while The Surge (starring Steven Seagal) may have "worked" in the eyes of most, the solution to domestic and international problems ultimately cannot be accomplished solely by the military.
9/11 can be an example of a failure to do provide economic opportunity. Highly educated Saudis with little economic opportunity living under a US-funded autocratic government were filtered into religious extremism. When they looked around and saw that their lack of opportunity was made possible, in part, by the US funding the decadent, oppressive House of Saud, they targeted US.
- In short, Obama's solutions involve military action, but only as a bolt in a larger machine aimed at bringing peace. Education, economic opportunity, and unity are the real agents of peace. (Nicholas Kristof couldn't have articulated this better in a recent article.) Books not bombs. Obama sees the larger picture; sure The Surge worked for what it was aiming to do, but do we have a safer US?
- Some other quick thoughts: in his speech Obama sums up the feelings / frustrations of: Israelis, Palestinians, General Petraeus, Afganis, President Maliki, Iraqi provincial officials, and Sunni tribal leaders to name a few. And he does it with a succinct thoughtful grace. I got the impression that he really is a great listener; able to understand and learn a lot from his conversations with various world leaders.
- Obama has a confident, unbridled optimism. In the course of his speech he even manages to touch on ways to resolve tensions/conflict between Pakistan and India. Everything's in sight and anything's possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment