Iran Review

Dr. Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour  

The Middle East has been a major concern for all US presidents after the end of World War II. The rise of Obama is, to some extent, the result of failure of George Bush’s policies in many fields from fighting terrorism to occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama rose to power through a totally different attitude to the Middle East while the Middle Eastern nations expect changes in past US policies. How Obama’s Middle Eastern policy in the past few months should be assessed?

Despite some continuation in the American foreign policy on the Middle East, there have been changes caused by Obama and his Middle Eastern policy can be considered “active” and “aimed at changing the US image”. Undoubtedly, Obama has been among the most active US presidents in the Middle East in the first months after his inauguration and has, thus far, attended to several Middle Eastern cases. Those cases include US relations with Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Palestinian state, relations with Iran, relations with Arab allies, Iraq and promotion of democracy, the attitudes of Middle East people toward Washington, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the case of the Taliban. His government’s conduct shows that every one of those cases is treated as an independent case.

Interestingly, progress in every one of those cases has not been made dependent on other cases and his government has achieved more on some cases than others. For example, Obama believes that his government has been more successful in Lebanon, especially in the light of parliamentary elections there. There has been a division of labor among his staff and every case is handled by an independent team.

Obama’s activities in the Middle East have been focused on changing Washington’s image in the region. His address to Muslims at the University of Cairo on June 4 shows that he is aware of the attitude of Muslim people toward the United States. Obama is trying to change the US image from an imperialist power supporting unjust conditions to a partner in facing common challenges. As for Iran, Obama has tried to bring more dynamism to bilateral relations. Obama has put special emphasis on the issue of Palestine. A change of image cannot occur in a short period and the Obama Administration cannot be claimed to have overcome all challenges, but he has been able to bring about some change.

Obama, however, is facing major challenges in his Middle Eastern policy one of the most complicated of which is relationship with Israel, especially when it comes to establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from Washington to accept the Palestinian state while Netanyahu has frequently tried, including in his May 2009 visit to Washington, to convince Obama that Iran’s nuclear threat is top priority in the Middle East, not Palestine. Obama, however, has insisted on the issue of Palestine while accepting Iran priority.

Israel’s supporters in political and research circles have been attacking Obama over his insistence on the establishment of a Palestinian state. Stephen Kramer, a leader of German Zionist organizations, has attacked him in an article published in Der Spiegel on June 16. A new book, “Myths, Illusions, & Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East” which was published by the right-wing WINEP is of special significance. One of the most important myths discussed in this book is that finding a solution to the Palestinian problem will not solve US problems in the Middle East. This is translation of what Netanyahu said in his June 14 address and indicates Obama’s Middle Eastern challenge. After mentioning many reservations, Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of a Palestinian state for the first time, but said its recognition would depend on recognition of the Israeli state by all Arab countries and establishment of an unarmed Palestinian state, both of which are well-nigh impossible. The government of Netanyahu is not the sole challenge facing Obama in the Middle East, but other strategic, political, cultural, and economic realities are also challenging Obama in the Middle East.

In general, Obama’s Middle Eastern policy is a combination of achievements and challenges. Under Obama, the United States has been more active in the Middle East and that trend will possibly continue into the future.

Source: Ettelaat Newspaper
Translated By: Iran Review