World Opinon: Obama's Mideast Trip: NPR

Obama's Mideast Visit Draws Mixed Reviews

NPR.org, July 22, 2008 · In Barack Obama's first high-profile trip to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, the presumptive Democratic nominee is attempting to gain foreign policy credentials while meeting with the region's leaders. Read selected editorials and commentary from around the world about Obama's tour.

AUCKLAND

Obama Hitting
The Right Notes

The New Zealand Herald

July 22, 2008

[Americans] are uncomfortable with how they are perceived globally and know steps must be taken to repair relations. He would not be making this tour if Americans saw no problem and believed it was more important for presidential candidates to be traversing the US. Instead, there appears an acceptance that Mr. Obama must acquire first-hand knowledge and an interest in how he will acquit himself.

BEIRUT

Rather A Burden

By Jihad el Khazen

Al-Hayat

July 22, 2008

How can we judge Barack Obama knowing that all his political stances during the electoral campaign stem from his desire to win and do not the least represent a platform to be implemented once he takes office?

LONDON

Obama's Stance On Iraq Is Chillingly Consistent

By Sami Ramadani

The Guardian

July 22, 2008

Obama's message on occupied Iraq is deeply troubling -- not because it has U-turned but because it has been consistent. His 300 foreign policy advisers are making sure that he will not stray from protecting U.S. imperialist interests, even if it does mean launching new wars and bolstering puppet regimes and corrupt dictatorships throughout the "greater Middle East."

DOHA

Obama: Commander-in-(mis)chief?

By Marwan Bishara

Al Jazeera

July 20, 2008

The presumably cultured liberal Obama failed to explain why killing more Afghans rather than killings Iraqis will make Americans safer, or how adopting the Bush-McCain rhetoric on the "war on terror" will win him the presidency.

SYDNEY

Media Mission Accomplished

By Anne Davies

Sydney Morning Herald

July 23, 2008

If the idea is to reassure U.S. voters that Senator Obama would make a suitable commander-in-chief, then the images from the trip so far could not have been more positive. But there is some concern that Senator Obama risks being seen as arrogant, assuming he will win the November election.

TORONTO

Obama's Decision: Get Elected, Or Get It Right?

by Kelly McParland

The National Post

July 22, 2008

To keep his base happy, [Obama] has to commit himself to an arbitrary withdrawal deadline, even if the situation changes dramatically between now and May 2010.

KABUL

Daily Predicts No Afghan Change Under McCain, Prefers Obama

Hasht-e Sobh

July 21, 2008

What goes in Obama's favour is his ability to improve the image of the United States in the world if he comes to power. ... What makes him stand out is his attention to Pakistan at the same time as to Afghanistan.

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