It’s his ambition. But one can only be ambitious if they believe in something. You cannot set goals if you don’t believe they can be achieved. It’s the hope, the unfaltering faith, in humanity that comes across when you listen to Barack Obama speak. That through the collective good of the world, we can act as one to achieve anything.
The UN General Assembly. It was 12 or 1am on Wednesday night humble Brisbane time, when Barack stood up at 10am local time to deliver his address. I am generally moved during Obama’s speeches, his courage is so easily transferred that I believe I could by myself, storm Iran and demand Ahmadinejad sign the nuclear proliferation treaty. The General Assembly address though, utterly inspiring. He stood up in front of our world leaders and basically called for the world to unite and his four pillars be accomplished. Sure, we have heard this talk before, but Obama is different. This middle-aged and intelligent man, who has lived in both poverty and wealth, in Africa, Indonesia and America, who would have seen and experienced many of the highs and lows the world provides - actually believes it can happen. He actually believes peace can be obtained. I find that in itself, so utterly inspiring.
Perhaps surprisingly, the nuclear proliferation was one of his four pillars that has since been the focus of the most attention. Or should I say has received the greatest response. A fantastic sign, but there are other matters to focus on.
Obviously, there is no place for nuclear arms on earth. But, there is also no need to fear Ahmadinejad will actually “wipe Israel off the map”. Ahmadinejad denies the holocaust - there is indisputable evidence that the holocaust existed. He is not an idiot, he is not ignorant, his actions directed towards Jewish people and Israel are totally internally politically motivated. What’s the saying about not underestimating your enemies? Anyway, it’s an Iran thing. One cannot take his actions on face-value, to do this would cause far more harm than good. In fact, anyone, especially the U.S. and Israel, reacting to what he says only serves to boost his own popularity and reinforce his own political methods.
Iran is a country that - as Obama stated - the world must unite against and decree enough is enough, it is time to get with the rest of us. Whether or not a united world could achieve this change remains to be seen. There is no doubt though, the U.S. alone can not do it. The U.S., acting solo, will only make things worse. Why then, on Wednesday night as Obama continued from pillar to pillar, did his tone change. It went from We to I. From the world to the U.S.A. This is where he must be careful.
After the Bush Government, world opinion of America is at a massive low. Much like a guy who left to play the field, only to realise the mistakes he has made, and how much he misses his relationship. Obama has knocked on the rest of the world’s door, with a bunch of flowers declaring that they belong together and can achieve so much if only he is let back inside.
It’s hard to get the trust back. One primary issue I have is against the U.S. right now, is its involvement in Israel. It is not the place of the U.S. to find peace between Israel and Palestine. This inbuilt arrogance of the U.S. has sadly not diminished despite the many changes Obama has brought. With opinion of the U.S. so low, why do they feel the need, the responsibility even, to interject their opinions and devote so much time and so many resources to this situation? The U.S. previously may have wished to be the saviour, the shinning light of peace in the Middle East and across the world. But surely now, in light of the recent events, there is no way it is going to happen. Alone, they will achieve nothing there; such is their lack of credibility.
For progress and peace to be achieved, the world on a united front (including the U.S.) must act. Only then will parties have to listen.
The U.S. has so much to deal with at home, it mustn’t act solo abroad. Obama must heed his own words, he cannot hold a double standard, by calling the world to unite against Iran and North Korea but then say it’s the place of the U.S. to find peace between Israel and Palestine. Ultimately though, addressing the UN, Obama mustn’t speak as the President of the United States of America but as an elected representative of the world. One of the best,brightest and most ambitious we have.
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