Not many takers for Obama’s promises though
The speech was well worded – with the right mix of lyricism and passion. It pointed to goals that most of his audience aspired for. Barrack Hussein Obama’s speech was therefore well received and applauded by those who had come to listen to the President of the USA. The address however generated far less enthusiasm in the world at large compared to Obama’s earlier speeches delivered soon after taking over power in 2009. And for good reason! His domestic agenda with promises of immigration and voting reform, gun control, investment in highways and other infrastructure, equal pay for women and revamping the tax code to combat inequality would have to be put into practice to convince those in the US whose earlier support for Obama has gradually tapered off for lack of performance. Many of his frustrated supporters subsequently concluded that much like the Republicans, the Democrats too were in fact catering to the interests of big business rather than the common taxpayer. Some subsequently joined the “Occupy Wall Street” sit-ins – the longest series of protests against the system since the civil rights movement. Many will wait with fingers crossed to see if Obama can this time withstand the pressures from the gun lobby, military-industrial complex and the carbon lobby to fulfil promises like the end to domestic terrorism, a policy of peace through talks and alliances and concentration on sustainable energy sources.
Many in Asia and the Middle East would take the promise of unstinted support to democracy with a sizable pinch of salt. Their experience during Obama’s last four years has taught them so. During his first tenure, Obama blatantly sacrificed what he calls American values like human dignity, justice and democracy for the material interests of his country. Washington provided moral and material support to pro-US Arab autocratic regimes which shot and killed protestors demanding reforms. The policy of targeted killings was adopted as a state policy. Drone attacks multiplied under Obama and the pilotless killer planes were adopted as a weapon of choice. While Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel as Defence Secretary raised hackles in Israel, it has failed to inspire Palestinians who have reasons to be wary because Israel was allowed to act with impunity against the West Bank population.
There is little hope of Obama taking into account Pakistan’s sensibilities regarding the drone attacks. All the more so keeping in view the divide between the military and the civilian establishments on the one hand and the government and opposition on the other. Only after the major political parties have developed an understanding and are able to take the army along, can Pakistan hope to get its concerns addressed.
