Obama's maiden tour to Egypt and a well designed address to the Muslim world served to give a rather clean bill of health to his administration and delink it with that of his predecessor.
Indeed the US has had a very bad record not only from the Muslim and Arab world but also other parts of the world which perceive the US as a ruthless aggressor and a verile expansionist.
Triples Origins
A triple orientation spanning from Africa, America and Asia gives him a more legitimate position to argue out his case especially on the two state solution in the Middle East. Given that Obama also has a history cutting across the Christian and Muslim divide, he seems to enjoy a more comfortable reception from his audience in the Middle East unlike his predecessor who was seen as partisan and with very radical views.
Though the Arab world still remains skeptical on any word from the US, Obama's speech seems to have given a new impetus to the region. Perhaps this was welll captured in Obama's speech when he intimated that he went to Egypt to seek new ties and give America a better treat from the East.
Stiff Challenges
Issues such as Student Exchange programmes and fiscal aid for women groups and other democratic institutions are very key towards forging a better and mutual understnding between the US and the Arab world. However, the acid test for Obama administration include the Arab-Israeli conflict, in particular the Palestine and Israel, the perceived double standards by the US on muslims such as the war on terrosism, the conflicts in Afganistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
The planned withdrawal from Iraq and Afganistan and closure of Guantanamo Bay may be some of the yardsticks used by the East to pass verdict on the Obama administration. It goes without mention that the speech fell on deaf ears in some quarters. Perhaps Obama could not please all.
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