Obama's initiative

A pivotal moment has been reached; the disposal of Bin Laden, the fall of Tunisian and Egyptian leaders and the inevitable impending fall of Muammar ‘mad dog’ Gaddafi.

Often at the heart of discontent, frustration and anger for the Middle Eastern regions, and a point of reference for the brutal oppression of Muslims, is the Palestinian conflict.

There has never been a better time to resolve the Palestinian/Israeli issue.


However, recent pro-democracy uprisings in the Middle east have meant that there is a real opportunity for peace and stability across the region.
Having wondered what would come next, post Bin Laden, President Obama has astutely pressed for reforms in the Middle East and Africa; cutting 1bn of debt for a democratic Egypt and a generous offer of creating Enterprise funds for Egypt and Tunisia; and communicating the need for the Syrian President to lead a political transition or make way.

Regarding the Isarali/Palestinian peace process President Obama stated "No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away," and went on to elaborate by saying -"But what America and the international community can do is state frankly what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples."

Well, that sounds like a little like the sentiments of Rodney ‘can’t we all just get along’ King. It is going to take a little more than a polite request to get Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to entertain the idea of a neighbouring Palestinian state.

In offering the Middle-eastern regimes a little helping hand; financial incentives, ultimatums and the bombing of government installations in Libya, a little more equilibrium is needed for any progress to take place regarding Palestine and Israel.

Whether it has been involved in the guiding of handshakes between Rabin and Arafat or restrained objections to Israel’s military incursions into Palestine the US has always been tentative in their dealings with the Israeli’s. Just as the Pakistan government has been accused of duplicity, graciously accepting American aid and then sheltering Bin Laden, the U.S have given huge amounts of foreign aid to Israel without ever making any tangible demands or sanctions.

If the U.S are going to be insistent on actively participating in regime change abroad then do so consistently or it will be hard to avoid the perception of being a playground bully.

"Fortes fortuna adiuvat"