Obama is capable?
Obama’s 100 days in office is like an all rounder in a cricket team! A bits and pieces man, capable of putting up his hand when required but not really one who has expertise in a particular area. At least as on date.Obama is not like Mathew Hayden or a Brett Lee but more like Symonds.
We saw Obama reaching out to the Europeans( including Turks) and the Arabs/Israelis. He had a tough swagger and a drawl when addressing the Pakistani and the Taliban. His tone was warm and affectionate when shaking hands with the master economist Dr Man Mohan Singh.
Obama has done his homework well
All rounders can come in very handy but in the long run, they cannot be effective for specific tasks. 100 days have been handled well but his tryst with destiny seeks a longer period…60 to a 120 months. And that is a long period. That is why I feel that he should don the mantle of a specialist at the earliest.
Middle East and Pakistan are two huge problems. The Arab Israel conflict needs a man who knows what he wants and also what he can deliver. The past has seen promises which could never be delivered. It was loathsome and dishonest. The need of the hour is to set the parameters for peace talks. This is a vital issue and will reflect the intentions and capabilities of the white house in general and Obama in particular. The recent posturing by him has given hopes to the genocide struck Palestinians. The two nation theory needs to be worked upon. There can never be peace in the world unless there is peace in the Middle East. There can be no peace unless there is a stable country of the Palestinians. Isreal and Palestine need to coexist as two nations. And Obama has to understand and execute that. He can do it if he follows the advise of the wise. Middle East beckons Obama.
Pakistan is passing through a very turbulent time. Partially self generated and partially by the forces that seek to rock Pakistan. And Obama knows the facts and should see through the crocodile tears that seem to flow from all corners! A stable and progressive Pakistan is a must for the regions growth. But will this be allowed to happen? Obama should ensure the holding back of the boat rockers.
And that brings me to the last issue. The G20 meeting. All was not sweet and neat. The Europeans did not appreciate the Anglo Saxon proposals, though this was not said overtly. But the French/German bonhomie did blow the top. Obama probably understands the same and knows that the G20 was not as big a hit as the media made it out to be. One needs to only look into the British media to see the skeptism and distrust. Obama has handled the economic crises fairly well and he probably knows that he cannot rely on the outcome of the G20 summit. He needs to be cautious and conservative
1 comment:
As a P of US, Obama doesn't have to be a specialist.
Question is, a specialist of what? Presidency?
I am afraid there is no such thing as that.
There are just good or bad Kings, Presidents, prime ministers and leaders. Infact good or bad ones is also inappropriate( average majority of this category Ks/Ps/PMs/ etc Executive leaders are victims of circumstances). Meaning to say that the overall picture/situation is pretty overwhelming that even a above average President or PM or king gives a an average performance.
So a President/king/PM any leader needs to be a an excellent generalist ( which I think Obama is).
Generalists, manage on a thumb rule basis. They do not get into details (but have an eye for details). While they know which detail to look into.
They are usually supported by good specialists. One of the best barometers of a good generalist is to see his pick or choice of specialists.
As far as the middle East Palestinian issue is concerned it is not so much the will OR intention of one person that counts, but that of an entire establishment. As we all know that the Israel lobby has stranglehold on the establishment.
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