Obama no different!

Submitted by Richard B. (Canada), Mar 19, 2013 at 23:32

I think Obama knows intuitively how important Israel is to the mentality of the American people. If you 'get' Israel you 'get' America. Every post-1948 president has wanted peace in the ME, some have had success (Clinton, Reagan) and some have failed (Carter). I think the key difference between liberals and conservatives (in both parties) is that conservatives realizes that the U.S. can only do so much to effect the reality on the (Israeli) ground - hence the lack of diplomatic (or military) 'shock and awe' initiatives from a GOP president such as George W. Bush.

Is Obama naive in believing that this time it will be different under his administration? Probably not. Is he an anti-semite? Again, likely no although he hasn't been the staunch ally for Israel either. Both the U.S. and Israel are looking inwardly at its economic situation instead of making any grand sweeping announcements in foreign policy. As well, both countries are acutely aware of their limitations of their power in affecting neighbouring Arab nations right now.

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