The Current Discussion:What's the biggest mistake Barack Obama could make in his first six months in foreign policy?
The inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American President, is itself an inspiration of hope for a better world. It has sent a message of goodwill even to the most skeptical spectators around the globe. But he can easily shatter people's glimmer of hope if he does not really and truly break away from an American foreign policy of ruthless hegemony imposed by ruthless military force.
His reaction to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis will be the first and most important test of the change he has promised to bring. His biggest blunder would be to reinforce America's full-fledged support of Israel, especially after the Israeli war of destruction on Gaza.
His words that preceded his inauguration do not bode for a change of course. Mr Obama, who has more depth and understanding of the conflict than most of his predecessors, has yet to show that his promise for change and new beginning is for real. The region is reeling with sadness and anger from images of the Gaza war. If Obama decides to see the war, and its aftermath, as part of a war on terror, he will be making a mistake that will foreclose prospects of peace in the region.
So far he has essentially repeated the usual "security for Israel justifies all measures" line that implies endorsing what international organizations are describing as Israeli war crimes against the Palestinians.
In his inauguration speech Obama, deeply versed and influenced in the ethos of the civil rights movement, talked about the assertion of "our common humanity." Yet a continued American support for Israel will only ensure that the Palestinians are seen as lesser creatures who are not entitled to safety, dignity or freedom.
Obama's inspiring words, especially his promise to the Muslim world of a new way forward, will prove vacuous - if not false - if he starts his term by implicitly endorsing Israeli policies of destruction.
This will not be simply a policy blunder but a moral failure that betrays the underlying values of the civil rights movement.
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