Muslim World: "Americans Are Not Your Enemy"

Therefore, Haroon is not your enemy, either.

Obama struck the right tone in his interview with Al-'Arabiyya, here in two parts (though, admittedly, it would have sent another and stronger message had he selected Al Jazeera.)  He offered to talk to Iran, to listen to what all sides had to say, and to negotiate to end the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Especially the first - talking to Iran - that's so important.  As unsavory as it might seem, we are in no position to dictate to any country in the region, and a long-term deal with Iran, recognizing its power and influence in the region, would help stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan and contribute to better relationships and interactions, regionwide, between and amongst the GCC, the Levant and even, I think, India and Pakistan.

In other news, another Bush administration failure!  His boneheaded and violent policy of asking Ethiopia to invade Somalia, just about two years ago, has ended exactly where it began, except the supposedly Qaeda-affiliated Islamists might be a lot more amenable to such rhetoric after fighting an American proxy army.  And, to top it off, Bush selected Somalia's oldest nemesis to do the job it couldn't and ultimately didn't want to do.  Bush was so bad he fails even after his presidency.  It's like Star Trek: "Watch your futures end."  I mean, sort of.  Isn't this why you read my blog?  Because I can connect George Bush to Somalia and then to First Contact's Borg Queen?

Lastly, the BBC's refusal to air a charity appeal has reached even the Times: "The BBC has rarely been buffeted as severely as it has in recent days over its decision not to broadcast a television appeal by aid agencies."  Goatmilk has a clip of a surprisingly blunt interview with Tony Benn.  Speaking of charity appeals, are you coming to NYU tonight?  6.30pm.  Kimmel Center.  Be there.

Comments

[Anupam]

An American president *talking* about how muslims aren't the enemy. It is depressing to think that our expectations have sunk to the point where mere words are held up as a sign of progress. Or maybe that is just me. Heh, however, onwards with "new beginnings" and all that..