Why do I already feel freer in the first few
days of Barack Obama's presidency, even though his predecessor
spent the bulk of his time speaking about freedom?
Because credibility in action speaks louder than words. George
W. Bush's so-called freedom agenda actually died in Guantanamo,
secret prisons and other torture facilities worldwide. Obama's
freedom agenda has started by repudiating and reversing those
controversial actions.
In eloquent remarks delivered after his historic
inauguration Tuesday on the western steps of Capitol Hill,
President Obama told the nearly 2 million people present,
"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over
fear." It is precisely that fear -- instigated by the
attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and intentionally kept alive by
the Bush administration, that caused many Americans to forget
about their values and condone methods such as torture.
True, the majority of Americans now dismisses
torture against suspected terrorists and supports the closure
of Guantanamo. But I am thinking more about the 40 percent
who still maintain the idea that "There are cases in
which torture can be considered," according to a recent
Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such a number is unacceptable
in a Western nation that champions human rights. It gives
you an idea of the degree of damage done in the last eight
years not only to the way the US government operates, but
also to the role model it represents for the American people
and beyond. No wonder Obama says the time has come "to
choose our better history" and talks about "remaking
America," while rejecting "as false the choice between
our safety and our ideals."
What I liked most about Obama's remarks as
president was the self-criticism about America and the emphasis
on collective responsibility. "What is required of us
now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the
part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves,
our nation and the world," Obama said. He later defined
his objective to an enthusiastic State Department audience
as follows: "Bring better days not just to our own country,
but all around the world." This unselfish and collective
approach is an indication that Obama has a clear understanding
that we have a common destiny in a highly interconnected world.
His approach to power is also shaped by the same responsible,
self-critical and smart attitude: "Power alone cannot
protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please."
Instead, he believes that "Our power grows through its
prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our
cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of
humility and restraint."
His secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, described
it as "smart power," which means a wise combination
of the soft and hard power of the US. Obama's visit to the
State Department as early as his second full day as president
was intended to show how much he prefers smart power, which
largely involves diplomacy. Vice President Joe Biden added:
"For too long, we've put the bulk of the burden …
on our military. ... Our military is ... absolutely necessary,
but not sufficient ... to secure the interest of this great
nation." I hope Bush's hawks were listening to this.
Obama is in no way naive in understanding emerging
threats to the US and the world. He is no less determined
to defeat radicalism and extremism, especially those emanating
from the Muslim world. But his approach is simply smarter
and more sensible. He correctly believes, once again guided
by the principles and values that have made America America,
"We can meet those new threats that demand even greater
effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between
nations." Multilateralism is not a choice, but an obligation
in our world today.
Obama's approach can deliver far more than
Bush's unilateralism could have ever achieved.
When Obama says, "We seek a new way forward,
based on mutual interest and mutual respect," it resonates
in the Muslim world. After all, how many US presidents had
a Muslim name and spent some of their childhood in an Islamic
nation? "We are confronted by extraordinary, complex
and interconnected global challenges," he rightly points
out. Obama himself is an assorted product of an increasingly
interconnected world. His foreign policy seems more likely
to reflect that. I must commend him for acting swiftly and
putting forth two of America's finest experts in conflict
resolution, former Sen. George Mitchell and Ambassador Richard
Holbrooke, as envoys in charge of Arab-Israeli and Afghanistan-Pakistan
issues, respectively. "Strong and sustained American
engagement can bridge divides and build the capacity that
supports progress," as Obama says. With this kind of
political support and dedication from a US president, I am
cautiously optimistic that we might actually see some light
at the end of the long and dark tunnel to peace.
"America is a friend of each nation and
every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and
dignity, and … we are ready to lead once more."
One feels as if a peace activist has taken over the US administration
when Obama says things like that -- a smart, dedicated, idealist,
but, at the same time, a realistic and pragmatic activist.
Obama has mostly said the right things during his election
campaign. He started saying and doing the right things as
president. I hope he doesn't change course over time while
trying to change the US and the world for the better. Congratulations
and good luck Mr. President.
