Can moderate Iraqis believe Obama’s promises?
www.kitlawfirm.com
khalidissataha@googlemail.com


What are the prospects for a change of American policy in Iraq if Obama wins the Presidential election?

Obama’s recent euphoric tour of Europe when he was greeted like a hero in Berlin gave a glimpse of the hopes of ordinary citizens for a change in American foreign policy. But can Obama really fulfill these hopes and deliver something radically different from the Republicans under McCain?

Iraq will be one of the most pressing problems facing the newly elected President and the signs that Obama can devise and then implement policies that will gain the respect and co-operation of moderate Iraqis, like me, are not good. Any President attempting to build a relationship with Iraq that is not based on an assumption of American superiority will face serious opposition in many quarters.

Since the 2003 invasion America has squandered billions of dollars in an attempt to impose their version of reality on Iraq. 4,400 US soldiers have been killed and tens of thousands more injured. The project has failed on most fronts but this very failure has made it even more imperative for the American government to salvage something from the wreckage.

Obama has stated that he wishes to withdraw US troops from Iraq but he will have to proceed carefully with this policy to avoid alienating large sections of the American electorate. He needs to demilitarize America’s relationship with Iraq whilst reassuring his domestic audience that this move is not actually an admission that every single American action over the past five years has been both wrong and futile.

Meanwhile American businesses are waiting for their peace dividend from Iraq; they will not be impressed if they think the US is simply retreating and leaving commercial opportunities open for French, German and Chinese firms. These considerations will no doubt figure large in the President’s calculations and must be placed alongside the pressure applied by lobby groups like AIPAC which are keen to see America continue flexing its military muscle in the Middle East.

Despite the constraints on his behaviour Obama must take up the Iraqi challenge and address it with all of his considerable diplomatic skill and talent. The Iraqi people have suffered so many disappointments and broken promises they are reaching the end of their tether. Those who wish to build a peaceful, prosperous relationship with America see Obama as a last port of call. If he does not succeed in transforming relations between his country and Iraq there will be hard, dangerous times ahead in the Middle East.

London 20.08.2008



Khalid Issa Taha
Chairman: Lawyers Beyond Borders Organization
Attorney at Law & Legal Consultant
www.kitlawfirm.com www.khalidissataha.com
Email: khalidissataha@googlemail.com tahaet@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +44 208 4642639 Fax: +44 208 3131241 Mobile: +44 798 9950640
26A, Letchworth Drive, Bromley South, Kent BR2 9BE ENGLAND