Obama Faces Middle East Critics
June 12, 2012
Four years into his presidency, and several months from an election, President Barack Obama is the matador in the
political arena and the press is the raging bull. Promises made and unfulfilled provoke criticism of the man who rose
from being a child of a dysfunctional marriage to become the Commander-in-Chief of a troubled nation.
Most prominent of failed intentions is the neglect to a proposal that he presented to the Middle East peoples.
Immediately after inauguration, the new President Obama lit up the Arab world with a beacon of hope and a promise to
change the awkward relationship between the Middle East nations and the major western power. Hope and change arrived in
the Arab world, but not due to U.S. foreign policies, which caused the Middle East populations to lose hope in and
change opinions of the American president. A wave of popularity after Obama’s 2009 speech in Cairo, Egypt a new
beginning between America and the Arab word deteriorated into “a sharp decline in support of President Obama's policies
in the Middle East. A poll, which was conducted by the Arab American Institute in six Middle Eastern countries, shows
Obama’s ratings at 10% or less, and reflects negative sentiments toward American policies in the region.” (Haaretz, July
13, 2011)
The progressive media’s harsh criticisms of U.S. Middle East policies reflect the Arab street condemnation of President
Obama’s failure to face and resolve the challenges that confront the Muslim and western world. Fawaz Gerges, Chair,
Middle Eastern Centre, London School of Economics summarized his opinions in a book Obama and The Middle East: The End of America’s Moment, published by Palgrave Macmillan, and in discussions at Washington, DC Think Tanks and radio interviews. With due regard
to Fawaz Gerges erudite academics, critics of President Obama’s retreat from “yes, we can do,” have not considered that
the African-American leader’s ascent to the presidency contained a Faustian pact – constraint due to a debt to those who
promoted his victory. Examination of Gerges criticisms, as one example of the outpouring of debates on Obama’s
non-transitional first four years, reveals a deficiency in realizing Obama’s inner dilemmas. Fawaz Gerges conclusions in
his words and paraphrased in brackets:
(1) Barack Obama is deeply entrenched within the dominant narrative on American foreign policy. He's a realist. [U.S.
favoritism for Israel has been framed for decades and is entrenched in the American psyche.] He has not been able to
deliver because the American political system, what I call the dysfunctional America political system, a system that
basically it's a combination of special interest groups and, of course, the role of the Congress.
(2) He was unwilling to invest real political capital in order to basically bring about a Palestinian/Israeli
settlement. Barack Obama, at the end of the day, is timid. Barack Obama governs by consensus and when he faces
obstacles, unfortunately, he often retreats. And he retreated on the Palestinian/Israeli peace process.
(3) [By removing U.S. troops from Iran and Afghanistan, the president shifted the debate from control of Middle East
peoples to recognizing their human rights and dignity. At the same time, he indicated that the foreign affairs agenda
would lower involvement in the Middle East.]
(4) [Obama is shifting priorities from the Middle East to East Asia. He foresees the latter as the principle focus for
U/S. foreign policy.]
Are there alternative arguments to explain President Obama’s controversial Middle East policy other than “a retreat from
obstacles?” Is Obama just another politician concerned about re-election? Partially true. Nevertheless, Obama’s
principal concerns are the preservation of his legacy and commitment to the African-American minority.
As the first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama framed his legacy unique and incomparable and
he cannot permit it to be tarnished. Preserving that legacy, and preventing a backlash of accusations that
African-Americans pursue policies that have little support from the American people and its Congress drives Obama to
consensus. In order not to endanger national aspirations of future African-American politicians, a carefully watched and
carefully scrutinized president cannot battle for losing causes. Psychologically tied to the Middle East status quo, he
is a victim of what Gerges describes as “the dysfunctional America political system, a system that basically it's a
combination of special interest groups and, of course, the role of the Congress.”
If the U.S. Congress approached the Israeli/Palestinian crisis with serious debate and close votes, then President Obama
might not “retreat on the Palestinian/Israeli peace process.” Observe the latest bill on the subject and its vote:
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4133
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 10, 2012
‘UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY COOPERATION ACT OF 2012’.
It is the policy of the United States:
(1) To reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of the State of Israel as a Jewish state.
As President Obama stated on December 16, 2011, ‘America’s commitment and my commitment to Israel and Israel’s security
is unshakeable.’ Moreover, as President Bush stated before the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the
State of Israel on May 15, 2008, ‘The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship
runs deeper than any treaty.’
(2) To provide Israel the military capabilities necessary to deter and defend itself by itself against any threats.
(3) To veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Security Council.
(4) To support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.
(5) To pursue avenues to expand cooperation with Israel in both defense and across the spectrum of civilian sectors,
including high technology, agriculture, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals, and energy.
(6) To assist Israel with its on-going efforts to forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and security, and to encourage Israel’s neighbors to
recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
This totally unnecessary legislation, which is more a statement than a bill, tells the Palestinians “it’s time for you
to surrender.” Passed by the House of Representatives with 411 ‘yeas’ and two ‘nays,’ it probably received a larger
majority percentage than if the Israeli Knesset considered the bill. Yes, the U.S. executive department formulates
foreign policy, but the House appropriates funds and the Senate ratifies treaties. The President’s major power in
foreign policy lies with his title of Commander-in-Chief wage war and determining relations with foreign and
international organizations.
One unique possibility for the American president to formulate foreign policy without interference from the Congress is
by use of the United Nations Security Council. Nevertheless, the opposite has occurred the U.S. has vetoed every
Security Council Resolution that contested Israel’s expansion. Why?
Passing the Resolution means carrying out its provisions aggressive actions against Israel. However, Obama must see what
few are willing to admit a solution to the Middle East crisis proceeds from equalizing power between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority negotiations can only proceed from parties that have equal strength. However, Israel has framed
its expansionist policy, either wittingly or accidentally, to be “all or nothing.” If it does not control the Jordan
Valley and West Bank water sources and allows a viable Palestinian state, the drive to a Jewish state from the
Mediterranean to the Jordan River will be impeded, and, with that occurrence, worldwide Jewry interest in Israel will
eventually fade away, immigration will halt and emigration will proceed. The Middle East crisis resolves to either the
elevation of an expanded Jewish state and destruction of the Palestinian community, or an eventual Palestinian control
with a subdued Israeli minority.
Obama might be partisan to the latter development the lesser of two extreme punishments but cannot support a policy that
will permit it to happen because of being captured by a legacy he cannot permit to be threatened.
Undoubtedly, the president is concerned with human rights and enhancing the dignity of Middle East peoples, but he is
more concerned with having a foreign policy that is guided by diplomacy and not by military action. Withdrawal of troops
from Iraq and Afghanistan firmly informs the military that the State Department will guide military actions and the
military will not guide State Department actions.
Recent events validate Gerge’s assertion that Obama is shifting priorities from the Middle East to East Asia. “The US
will shift the bulk of its naval fleet to the Pacific by 2020 as part of a new strategic focus on Asia, Pentagon chief
Leon Panetta told a summit in Singapore.” Big mistake. Aside from the perpetual Korean peninsula crises, the disputes in
Asia are mainly those of sea rights and insignificant territorial arguments, all of which are Asian problems and do not
affect the United States. The U.S. has one major problem in East Asia an economic problem, derived from an inability to
compete, which yields a negative trade balance. The solution is within the 50 U.S. states and not within the Asian
states. Nothing worse than having foreign policy interfere with economic policy a sure descent into conflict.
On the other had, the Middle East is a cauldron of uncertainty, terrorism, crises and violence. The direction is to more
of the same and eventual eruptions that will envelop the western world. Containing, controlling, and mitigating the
disturbances are the functions of an effective foreign policy; retreat is not the answer.
Barack Obama has his legacy and the possibility of enriching it with another decision supporting Hillary Clinton, if her
health permits, as the Democrats vice-presidential candidate. This maneuver will assure his re-election and gain him
recognition as providing the path for the first woman vice-president and the first woman presidential candidate. The
dreams and pursuits that brought him into office have tied his initiatives. He can only fulfill dreams and not promises.
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Dan Lieberman is DC-based editor of Alternative Insight, a commentary on foreign policy and politics. He is author of
the book A Third Party Can Succeed in America and a Kindle: The Artistry of a Dog.