Measures such as closing Guantanamo would win respect and popularity abroad and would be seen as a harbinger of a new readiness for an inclusive, cooperative US diplomacy, said The Times in an editorial yesterday. Excerpts:
In Kenya, dozens of newborn babies have been named Obama. In Tehran, an Iranian leader has congratulated a US president-elect for the first time since the Islamic revolution. From Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, Americans abroad have been hugged and congratulated, have cast away their Canadian camouflage and suddenly felt they could walk tall again. The world joined America in its grief seven years ago; now all want to share in America’s rejoicing.
Even so, President-elect Obama knows that a difficult inheritance awaits him overseas. US forces are engaged in two wars, and Afghanistan at least is proving a harsh challenge. Pakistan stands on the brink of disaster. Iran, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, massacres in the Congo and Russia’s belligerence all demand skilful diplomacy and determined leadership in the White House. None of these, however, will be the priority for the incoming president. His first task must be to use the goodwill created by his election to restore confidence in America.
There are actions he can, and probably will, take swiftly: Closing Guantanamo, signing the UN Convention against Torture, discarding lingering US skepticism over climate change, announcing fresh budgetary support for the United Nations. Such measures would win respect and popularity abroad and would be seen as a harbinger of a new readiness for inclusive, cooperative diplomacy. Obama may find that such an end to American exceptionalism would be welcomed even at home: Many US voters have been hurt by the world’s criticisms of the Bush administration and have resented its policies that have left them isolated and unpopular.
The mechanism for change is already in place.
