The world welcomes the election of Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. Both allies and enemies look forward to a new president of the world's most powerful country after eight years of President Bush's leadership (though hardly for the same reasons). Only Israel is likely to be reticent and wary.
The first message to the world is universally positive. By electing a person of color, we have sent a very strong positive message to the rest of the world. Maybe now the United States can truly begin to transcend race and its often divisive politics. We the people have truly practiced what we have long preached. Regardless of party affiliation and politics, everyone ought to feel good about Mr. Obama's accomplishment, even though South Africa beat us to it.
The second message is also one of hope. Heads of state of other nations have witnessed the meteoric rise of a talented and charismatic leader possessing a markedly different style and worldview from his predecessor. They are eager to engage and to be engaged by him. President Obama has an historic opportunity to restore the luster to America's reputation, however undeservedly it has sometimes suffered in the court of public opinion, as well as make amends for some of the truly ill-advised unilateral actions of the past few years.
At the same time, President-elect Obama gives the world pause. He lacks foreign policy experience. He lacks governance experience. For heaven's sake, as an international business attorney, I have had far more experience dealing with world governments than he has (and I should NOT be president of the United States!). Is sheer ability and intellect enough? It almost wasn't enough for a young, supremely talented and confident President Kennedy.
The other cause for concern relates to Iran. More specifically, will Israel forebear a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear sites? Only the present disarray of Israel's government may prevent a preemptive strike before Senator Obama assumes the presidency. Why? Israel perceived John McCain as being tough on Iran and sympathetic to Israeli security interests. Israel would have been more likely to forego unilateral action had Senator McCain won election. Israel perceives Mr. Obama as naively soft, especially because of his campaign rhetoric to engage in talks without conditions. President-elect Obama must act quickly to assure Israel of his ability to deal with Iran effectively or Israel may feel compelled to act while President Bush is still in office.
On balance, the world views the election of Barack Obama more positively than it would have viewed the election of Senator McCain. I congratulate Senator Obama for his victory and wish him well. I close by inviting you to insert a universal platitude of your choice here. We all need them in these difficult times.
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