Obamas World

The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit… the God-given promise that all are equal,all are free,and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

From his inaugural speech

On the second day of his presidency,Obama ordered closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba,banned the use of torture by US personnel and told the CIA to shut down its secret overseas prisons. The move repudiates some of the most divisive war-on-terror policies of the Bush administration. Last week,the administration revealed legal memos describing CIA torture techniques like waterboarding. This must end,Obama said.

But some questions remain unclear and unexplained: where will the 248 detainees go? Yemen has asked Washington to return its detainees and demanded aid to rehabilitate them. But the Obama administration is wary of any move that could increase al-Qaeda activities in that country.

Yes we CAN-ADA!

Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

On February 19,Obama was greeted with snow flurries and cheers of Yes we Canada during his first foreign visit as President to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They discussed economic relations,restructuring the American auto industry,Afghanistan,energy and environment. Obama said the two countries were working closely on bilateral ties and within the G8 and G20 to restore confidence in their financial markets. Waiting to see the results.

Iraq deadline

We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people.

Obama,on February 27,said it would be over by August 2010. But a residual 50,000 troops would remain in Iraq after the deadline. All US troops will be withdrawn by the end of 2011. The aim,he said,was to make Iraq sovereign,stable and self-reliant. So,does he have a deadline? He made a sudden appearance in Iraq on April 7 after attending the G20 summit in London,a NATO meeting in Strasbourg,France,and a halt in Turkey. He spoke to about 600 troops,met Iraqi officials and left without anything definitive. Last week saw renewed suicide attacksfour suicide bombings in two days that killed about 150 people.

The Af-Pak policy

We will forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.

On March 27,Obama unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan with a goal to crush al-Qaeda. He said the US military in Afghanistan would shift emphasis to training and expanding the Afghan army so that it could take the lead in counter-insurgency operations. Obama plans to send 4,000 more troops to train the armyin addition to the 17,000 combat troops he has already ordered to Afghanistan. He appointed Richard C Holbrooke as special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The new strategy also calls for the US to reach out to Afghanistans neighbours,including Iran,and step up military and economic aid to Pakistan. He has pledged $1.5 billion in non-military aid to Pakistan over the next five years.

Arabs and Muslims

To the Muslim world,we seek a new way forward,based on mutual interest and mutual espect.

On January 27,Obama gave his first formal interview as President to Dubai-based Arab TV,al-Arabiya,telling Muslims,Americans are not your enemy. Obama said the time was ripe for Israel and Palestine to resume peace negotiations. He appointed former Senator George Mitchell as West Asia envoy. On April 6,he declared in Turkey that the US is not and will never be at war with Islam.

Iran and North Korea

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit… we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

In that al-Arabiya interview,Obama reached out to Iran,which responded by saying it first wanted to see changes in US policies towards it. On March 20,Obama released a video message to the people of Iran for the Persian New Year. He said the US wanted Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. Iran,once again,was cautious.

While the Obama administration was busy reaching out to other countries,North Korea launched a long-range rocket despite US warnings that the move would be provocative. No unclenched fist there.

Meeting Medvedev

With old friends and former foes,we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat.

Prior to the G20 summit,Obama met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The two leaders ordered immediate action on a treaty to further reduce nuclear weapons. They set a July deadline for a substitute treaty for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty or START.

G20

We can meet new threats that demand even greater effort… even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.

On April 2,Obama attended the Group of 20 Summit in London. World leaders pledged $1 trillion in financing,but no deal on the stimulus was reached. After the summit,Obama said it was a turning point in our pursuit of global economic recovery. But,he added,there are no guarantees.

In London,he met world leaders,including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the first time.

The French Connection

Earlier generations faced down fascism and communism… with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

On April 3,Obama was greeted by cheering supporters in Strasbourg,France. Though he won NATO backing for his new approach to Afghanistan,his European allies stopped short of offering long-term troops deployment.

Meanwhile,anti-NATO protesters torched buildings,ransacked shops and hurled petrol bombs at the police. And,the Europeans are hemming and hawing over his stimulus package.

Castro and Chavez

Our power grows through its prudent use.

Obama has been doing his best to improve relationships with long time foes.

This time,he lifted a decades-old embargo on Cuba. The move removed limits on family travel and money transfers to their homeland by Cubans in the US. This was a major shift from Obamas predecessors hardline approach towards the Communist nation. The decision also did away with most regulations that had stopped American companies from bringing hi-tech services and information to Cuba. However,it does not eliminate Washingtons trade embargo on Cuba.

Obama presented a broader US agenda for Latin America than under the Bush and Clinton administrations. He was seen and photographed smiling and shaking hands with Venezuelas firebrand President Hugo Chavez.