RIYADH: A visiting US expert on Middle East and American foreign policy said that the new administration of President Barack Obama would have a new relationship with the Arab world that would eventually build a better rapport with the Muslim countries.
“During his maiden address as US president, Obama spoke out with an open mind expressing an interest to embrace all communities,” William B. Quandt, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, said at a round-table discussion held at the US Embassy here on Saturday.
Quandt, who teaches courses on the Middle East and American Foreign Policy, has authored several books on the Middle East peace. He also wrote a book on Saudi Arabia in the 1980s.
Another area of his research has been political development in Middle Eastern countries, especially Algeria, a topic of two of his books, most recently, “Between Ballots and Bullets: Algeria’s Transition from Authoritarianism” (Brookings 1998).
Quoting Obama, he said the US would seek a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect with the Muslim world.
“The US president is keen on maintaining good relations with the traditional partners of the US, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt,” he added.
He warned that Iran should not be allowed to interfere in the regional affairs. “Iran is a dangerous and menacing country in the region and it sends mixed signals on various regional issues,” he said.
However, he hoped that Obama’s new approach could be successful in maintaining cordial US-Iran relations. Weakening Iraq has strengthened Iran, he stressed.
He took the opportunity to advocate for regional security to prevent the manufacture of nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction. “There should be regular checks on countries such as Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prevent untoward movements in the region,” he said.
He indicated that the US spends a lot to look after its soldiers in Iraq and this is a heavy expenditure in the US budget at a time when the country is faced with a financial crisis. Iraq has a substantial force with a band of 600,000 on its payroll, he noted.
