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Inside the Middle East
November 6, 2008
Posted: 1458 GMT

–By CNN's Octavia Nasr

The Arab world watched the U.S. elections with much interest and a high level of conviction that the outcome will give them a crystal ball view into the future of relations between their countries and the United States of America.

On Arab media, on the streets, in chat rooms and in cafes, most Arabs were rooting for Barack Obama. Some say they were energized by Obama’s message, others blame what they call the failed Bush policies in the region and the fear that McCain will follow the same path. So, as soon as the announcement of Barack Obama’s victory came out, many people across the Middle East jumped for joy. The congratulatory commentaries also flew on FaceBook and other social networking sites.

Arab satellite channels gave their viewers a front seat view of the elections with explanations, guests and analysis. One thing commentators and ordinary citizens agreed on is that if the US chooses an African-American for president, they will usher in a true new era where “America will be preaching the same brands of democracy, tolerance and freedom it lives first at home.”

Now that the first test is over, on to the burning issues that President-elect Barack Obama receives from his predecessor. In one analyst’s words, “Obama has bought what Bush broke.” The “inherited” challenges are many and they’re serious, some even think they’re insurmountable. They can be broken down into what Arab media call “the hot files.”

Iran: The sizzling file that can’t wait

Iran’s unwavering nuclear ambitions are considered by many Arabs as the toughest challenge for the Obama presidency. Iran today is a far more powerful country from that of 2000 when George W. Bush took office. Iran proudly flexes its nuclear muscle –for peaceful purposes as it claims—and shows off alliances extending from Lebanon (Hezbollah) to the Palestinian territories (Hamas) to Syria and Iraq. Iran is seen as key to many of the US’ woes in the region and without a resolution of sorts to the deadlock in the relationship between the two countries, more regional tensions are feared to be on the horizon. An entire region now watches if Mr. Obama will act on his campaign rhetoric of engaging Iran, starting dialogue and trying sanctions first before resorting to a military response.

Iraq: Trouble, trouble everywhere

Barack Obama’s plan to pull US troops out of Iraq is a welcome proposition for the region. Prior to the Iraq war in 2003, very few Middle Easterners believed that Iraq had any weapons of mass destruction. As a result, the majority of people opposed the war and thought that there were “better” ways to remove Saddam Hussein from power than invasion. Now, the focus is on how President-elect Barack Obama will deal with the complicated situation. Particularly worrisome, is the inability so far for the US and Iraq to reach a security agreement for the future. With an Iraq still weighed down by sectarian divisions and insurgency attacks, can the Obama administration propose a security agreement that all Iraqi sides — Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis–will approve of?

Syria: Diplomacy or pressure in the new era?

Only a few weeks ago, a US raid against a target on the Syrian side of the Iraqi border, raised already heightened tensions between Syria and the United States. The US said the target was a Syrian smuggling ring of Arab terrorists into Iraq. Syria’s foreign minister lashed out at the attack and called it, “US aggression against innocent civilians” and demanded an apology. Following the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, the US’ rhetoric against Syria was raised to an all time high with President Bush calling on Syria repeatedly to “stop meddling in Lebanon’s business.” During his campaign Mr. Obama expressed his position on Syria’s actions saying they pose a threat to Israel as well as Iraq. The Syrian state-controlled Tishreen newspaper published a few days ago an editorial under the headline, “Everyone knows that the period of US foolishness is over.” In it the newspaper said, “It is better for them to recognize their mistakes publicly and apologize” from Americans, Arabs and Muslims.

These might be “the sizzling files” which Arab media believe should be addressed first. But, there are many more files needing immediate attention of course. Terrorism is on the mind of many in the face of a sharp rise in fundamentalism activity across the Middle East and North Africa. Extreme ideologies are spreading across the land with more terror groups pledging allegiance to al Qaeda and carrying out attacks in its name. Not to mention that Osama bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri remain at large with no clear plan from Mr. Obama on how he plans to deal with their threat or what method he’ll follow to bring them and other terrorists to justice.

The ever-present Arab-Israeli conflict, the fate of the peace process, and the status of Jerusalem are subjects that always generate heated debate. This election is no different. During his campaign, Mr. Obama made his support for Israel clear. He articulated in no uncertain terms his rejection of any possibility of “having another Holocaust.” He had some conflicting opinions on the status of Jerusalem but at the end he left it to the Israelis and Palestinians to debate as a final agreement issue.

The failing world economy and the US’ petroleum policies under Mr. Obama are also topics of concern and intense debate in the Middle East. There are already conversations going on about how the Middle East region will be affected and the necessity to come up with new oil strategies and policies in the face of deadlines the President-elect has already set during his campaign for the US to switch to green energy and end its dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

In closing, the Iranians want to have what they believe is their right to “peaceful” nuclear energy. The Syrians want what they believe is their right to an apology. The Iraqis want what they believe is their right to their own version of a security plan. Add to that millions of Middle Easterners who want to see “change” they “can believe in.” An already full plate for President-elect Barack Obama; and that’s just one region of the world. Now that the campaigning is over and President Obama will take his oath of office in a few short weeks, all eyes will be watching whether campaign rhetoric will meet presidency pragmatism.

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M Ariely   November 6th, 2008 1924 GMT

The blog refers to some of the issues that have be to solved in the ME.
However it is not focusing on the basic issue that have to be solved:
The central problem of the period is Islamic extremis
Short list of this problem:
1:It follows the universal philosophy to bring the world wide Islam caliphate
2: It rejects, by its nature, any idea of pluralism because there's only one truth
3:Is a threat to almost every state, certainly to every state that has Islamic minorities
4:Nuclear weapons into the hands of countries(Iran) in which the judgment of the value of human life has is geared toward what happens in the next life and not in this life
5:Iran conducts itself as a cause a and not nation

MS Oboma , the next president of USA main desire is "Change"
A real change will be dealing with the basics
"Change" challenge; find a strategic solution and not a tactical one
"Change" challenge: to embark many countries to join actively the strategy
"Change" challenge: 'Change "of the Arab population vision
"Change" challenge: Adjust the international conflict conventions to fight the terrorism with rules for the 21 century and not the 20th century
All the above are extremely difficult in a world that countries and people are considering only the very short term issues and personal interest /
Good luck Ms Obama and successful "Change"

Georges A.   November 7th, 2008 1006 GMT

Oussama Bin Laden was created by the US and is now but an apparent reason for the US to conquer the Arab countries.

We begin hearing about the threadth that the US faces but in reality it is the politics of the US that is threatening the lives of innocent civilians and bringing misery to the Middle East.

Will Obama be different? people in the Middle East hope that he will not be a nightmare as George W. Bush was. but looking back at US politics in the Middle East throughout the past decades, no much positive expectations are made on whoever takes over the US presidency be it Obama or any other person.

John Wayne   November 7th, 2008 1704 GMT

ossama bin laden created by the US?

right, and the world is flat

Henry Bretz   November 8th, 2008 306 GMT

Obsession—Radical Islam’s War Against The West

After viewing the documentary called “ Obsession-Radical Islam’s War Against The West” I felt compelled to express the emotions I felt building inside. I was taken completely by surprise. Fear, anger and disbelief overwhelmed me to the bottom of my soul. Let me give you an idea of what I saw and heard in hopes that you might better understand the reason for such magnitude of emotion and the need for all viewers to also experience these feelings.
The documentary begins by showing clips of some Islamic Fundamental Extremists radicals who were filmed while preaching their poisonous doctrine to, already brain washed clones that had been taught from childhood, the evil ways of these most vial beliefs. Specifically that all those who do not follow their interpretation of the preaching of Allah “ must be killed”.
The film is totally pertinent to Islamic Fundamental Extremism and it’s origins, which date back to Nazism during the Second World War. It was Adolph Hitler who actually started this movement when he recruited Islamic Fundamental leaders to assist him in his obsession to exterminate the Jewish race.It was an obsession which they also possessed. The Islamic leaders agreed with his positions and set out to build armies of like-minded soldiers. I believe this is where the governments of Europe and the Americas made a mistake that we are still paying for today. When Hitler was finally defeated the Allies should have finished the job by eradicating the extremists. This, unfortunately, did not happen and the extremists were able to set out to achieve their, self proclaimed, ultimate goal of world domination. They planned to call for a Holy War or Jihad and preach that the Jihad was necessary and it was the orders of Allah to exterminate all Jews and other infidels.
Today, more than ever, they still use the symbols, tactics and propaganda, which Hitler initiated during his reign of destruction in WW II. Islamic children are taught from birth that Allah wishes them to become martyrs for his cause. They are taught that their death is the ultimate sacrifice they could offer toward the realization of Islamic world domination. If you and I do not follow their doctrine, then we must die.
The film does make the point that most people of the Islamic faith are non-violent and wish to live in peace. The extremists, however, have built a global network, which can strike with acts of terror in any corner of the earth. Therefore, if you do not support the Islamic Fundamental Extremist cause, you must DIE. There is no middle ground, no peaceful coexistence.
This is a must see film for all non-extremists. Visit “ obsessionthemovie.com/” to view it or purchase a copy. Don’t wait. This is important and necessary for our survival.

A critique written by:
Henry Bretz
November 7, 2008

Solomon   November 8th, 2008 417 GMT

. as for picking an Israeli who fought in the Israeli army to be the white house spokesman.if Barak Obama want to show the world that he is serious about world Issue he should appoint a Muslim to his administration because Muslims who voted in the Election 98% voted for Obama according to a poll.

as for Arabs saying Marhaba to Obama it means also farewell to the enemy of Arabs and Muslims the Criminal Bush.

the American people should be commended. for electing an African american this to show that Americans are in general fair minded people.

Solomon   November 8th, 2008 2113 GMT

In his 25 years as a U.S. diplomat, Nicholas Burns proved it is possible to serve as a senior official in both Democratic and Republican administrations while almost never uttering a word that could cause trouble.

But since he gave up his job in March as No. 3 at the State Department and confidant to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he’s been loosening his tie a bit. Just look at what he said about the Middle East.

In an appearance at the Woodrow Wilson International Center this week, where he is now a scholar, Burns casually remarked that Palestinians “have received very little justice” for the last 60 years.

WOW. another confession.after Carter and many others, we here from them when they leave office.are we going to hear from Bush the same thing soon?

John Wayne   November 10th, 2008 1003 GMT

The 44 Grad rockets, Qassam missiles and mortar rounds which blasted Israel from Gaza Wednesday, Nov. 5, were fired from houses close to the border fence which Hamas had turned into fortified firing positions.

this is the arab marhaba for Obama!!

hourani   November 14th, 2008 1020 GMT

C triste de constater que malgré tous les déboires du XX siècle les arabes s'attachent encore à cette "conscience politique mythique" selon laquelle le changement du cours de l'histoire peut être l'oeuvre d'un seul homme. Cette façon de voir les choses est d'autant plus ridicule et irritante que cet homme (en l'occurrence M. Obama) est américain, futur chef d'un Etat dont il doit veiller à assurer les intérêts et non les intérêts des autres peuples. Les arabes manquent encore de sens réaliste en politique. Par rapport à l'ère Bush ce qui changera c'est la politique interne aux Etats-unis et à l'échelle internationale à peine verra-t-on une accalmie sinon une moindre tension des les zones chaudes où les States sont engagés militairement. Par ailleurs, on sait trés bien que la marge de manoeuvre d'un président américain est restreinte par les lobbies. Donc, de ce côté il ne faut pas se faire des illusions!

Moi ce qui m'a beaucoup impressionné dans l'élection de Barack Obama ce n'est pas ce que j'attends qu'il fasse pour moi, mais la charge hautement symbolique de son élection. Ce sont ces millions de blancs protestants, catholiques, orthodoxes, ces noirs, ces hispaniques et que sais-je encore qui ont dis "oui" à Obama abstraction faite de leurs appartenances ethniques ou religieuses et abstraction faite de sa couleur!
C'est cette leçon que l'Amérique peut être fière d'avoir donné au monde. Ca redonne à l'idée démocratique une jeunesse, ça inspire et ça fait rêver!

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Welcome to the Inside the Middle East blog. Our reporters, producers, cameramen and editors will regularly add to this with colorful behind-the-scene stories. This page is about how we put the show together -- from on-location shoots to the editing room -- as well as for anecdotes and stories that don't always make it into our finished on-air product.

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