Arab Spring and Obama' Skills

By Silvia Esbeydi Arias Carmona

25/September/2012

On September 24, The New York Times published an article about the Arab Spring and Obama’s diplomatic skills . The article stated that in the beginning of the Arab Spring, the support that Obama show to the protesters in Egypt was counterproductive for the relationships with the Arab World: he was backing up those who were against one of his most important allies [Mubarak].

Although this might be true, Obama went against even his own advisers, and strongly promote the destitution of Mubarak of his position. He had learned from past mistakes NOT to promote freedom at all costs, when those involved the imposition of freedom by force.

This reflects the personality of the president: his vision of himself as a figure of change who can renovate the image of America to foreign countries but also, as a protector of the fundamental interest of his nation. That is why he tried to put an end to “old-diplomacy” and promote a more personal approach to international relationships with Arab world leaders.

Unfortunately, Barack Obama lacks of an approachable personality, meaning, despite the domestic image reflected at home (USA) the president tends to portray himself in a very executive pose for the foreign countries, especially in the Arab world. Basically he does not have friends among world leaders, just allies.

This image was expanded when in February of 2011, after Muslim Mubarak’s declaration of not running for the presidency again, president Obama show his dissatisfaction in the matter arguing that the protesters were having was the lack of certainty of when Mubarak was going to step down. Obama foresee the impact that the movements might have and the possible impact, the problem was that he went public in the matter.

Seems that one of the biggest flaws in Obama is a very raw set of diplomatic skills, especially those concerning the international relationships with the Arab world, who after 9/11 became the target of accusations and attacks, with basis or not. That is the reason why several leaders are somewhat uncomfortable with the foreign policy of the president of the US.

Example of this is the attitude that Israel, an all-time ally/supporter of the US, has taken: demonstration of military exercises in order to send a message to the European Union and United States “if you don’t convince Iran to reduce his uranium program, were going to take this matter into our own hands, whether you want it or not” [free paraphrasing].

The last statement does not mean that the current president of the most important country in the world (so far) is an incompetent politician; it simply demonstrates that it is not enough to have the coercive power, the control in your hands; you have to be able to charm your enemies and make your allies unconditional to you.

In the last stop until Election Day on November 2 and with assassination of the US Ambassador in Libya, is time that Barack Obama demonstrates what is capable of, “stepping up” his game in the international concert. After all no matter how good a president is with domestic policies, if he (or she) doesn’t have an international vision, it’s very plausible he might stagnate his country.