06-03-0 What Arabs and Muslims hope for in Obama speech

What Arabs and Muslims hope for in Obama speech
By Ray Hanania – By just going to Cairo University to give a “speech to the Muslim World,” Barack Obama is doing something that his predecessors never really understood. The Arab World and the Muslim World do not hate Americans nor do they hate the West. They are angry about some policies. Some fanatics use that anger and exploit it to finance and empower their extremist goals. But by speaking to the Arab and the Muslim World, Obama is sending a signal to the silent majority of Arabs and Muslims that he cares and that Americans care. And that by itself will help to undermine the extremists in the Arab and Muslim World who are behind much of the violence. Obama “gets it.” But what he actually says will help the Arab and Muslim World decide if Obama “understands” the Arab and Muslim World.

AFAGHANI: The Ripe Moment for Peace is over, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 01-29-09

The Ripe Moment for Peace is over

By Rawhi Afaghani – It might be too early to discuss the consequences of the Gaza war on the Middle East peace process, but as a conflict analysis and resolution specialist I fee compel to do so. On several occasions President Barack Obama mentioned that the Israeli-Arab conflict, one of the most complex and protracted conflicts in the modern history, will be a top priority on his foreign policy agenda. I unfortunately strongly believe that it might be already too late even for the Obama administration to make headway on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The ripe moment for peace was lost and it may take another cycle of violence before the Palestinians and the Israelis can talk peace again.

HANANIA: Was Blagojevich’s coziness with Arab Americans in Chicago the straw that broke the camel’s back? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 01-29-09

Was Blagojevich’s coziness with Arab Americans the straw that broke the camel’s back?
By Ray Hanania – Rod Blagojevich is an Illinois governor whose notoriety has gone national for all the wrong reasons. He is the butte of many jokes on the national late night TV circuit, which is usually a barometer for the personalities and issues that Americans across the country are talking about. Gov. Blagojevich was elected twice by the voters of Illinois and when he first entered politics, an unknown name, he had the backing of many, mainly because his father-in-law was a powerful Chicago Machine politician and alderman. He went from unknown legislator to unknown congressman to popular governor who took over in the wake of a corruption predecessor, Gov. George Ryan.

ELAASAR: Obama’s Agenda for Arabs and Muslims? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 01-13-09

Obama’s Agenda for Arabs and Muslims?
By Aladdin Elaasar  – We are approaching a very historical event in the history of our nation, the United States of America. For the first time in our history, Americans voted for president –elect, Barrack Hussein Obama, as the first African-American president. We are so optimistic about the presidency of President Obama, not only for being the country’s first African American president, but for what he represents. Mr. Obama brings a new positive energy, deep global understanding of the intricacies of world affairs, and deep commitment for social justice and reform in our great country, the United States of America.

COMIC STRIP: Obama silence on Gaza tarnishes inauguration, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 01-13-09

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Ray Hanania’s World Comic Strips
Obama ignores suffering in the Gaza Strip. Carnage there an dhis inaction tarnish his inauguration this week.
(C) Copyright Ray Hanania Enterprises Ltd, 2009, All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to reproduce this comic strip in its entirety with no edits and full attribution.

ALARABI: Will it be Hillary? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 11-14-08

Will it be Hillary?
By Ali Alarabi  –  Hillary is being considered for the top job at the State Department? Well, what does that mean for American politics and more, what does it mean for the Middle East? Whether will it be Hillary Clinton or Bill Richardson at the State Department it matters very little from a larger perspective. On the outset, and at any event  it looks like we are heading for a third Bill Clinton term. President-Elect Obama is filling his administration with Clintonites from Rham Emanuel for the White House Chief of Staff, to Obama’s fellow Chicago’s affluent Hide Park neighborhood as his senior advisor, to Robert Reich who is on Obama team of economic advisors and formerly Clinton’s labor secretary, and soon we will hear the name of Dennis Ross to be handed over the Middle East file to pick up where he himself left it during the Clinton Era.

GUEST OP-ED: Obama’s election can open door for Middle East peace, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 11-10-08

ARAB AMERICAN WRITERS GROUP SYNDICATION
OP-ED, Distribution, Monday Nov. 10, 2008
Obama’s election can open new door for Middle East peace and improved relations
By Mohamed Hedi Triki – Barack Obama promised the American people to bring “change” with his election as president of the United States, but the anticipation for real change is greatest among the people in the Arab World.

HANANIA: Obama’s growing pro-Israel cabinet should not worry allies of just peace, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 11-07-08

Obama’s Growing Pro-Israel Cabinet Should Not Worry Allies of Just Peace
By Ray Hanania – Like all Arab Americans, I was disturbed when Barack Obama selected U.S. Senator Joseph Biden as his running mate. Biden’s appointment was clearly intended as a signal to put Jewish American and pro-Israel voters at ease. It was designed to counter the concerns raised by the hatemongering campaign against Obama by fanatics like Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity, Daniel Pipes and others who asserted that the Democratic candidate was “a Muslim” and a “friend of Palestinians.”

ALARABI: Obama’s Revolution, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 11-07-08

Obama’s Revolution: 

By: Ali Alarabi – Senator Barack Obama’s victory is no less important than storming the Bastille more than 200 years ago in 1789 which was perhaps the one iconic event that ushered the dawn of the French revolution that ended up changing the French people along with France and Europe and subsequently the entire world.

HANANIA: Arab Americans have substantial presence in tuesday’s elections, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 10-31-08

Arab Americans have substantial presence in Tuesday’s elections

By Ray Hanania  – Despite the challenges of an American system that discourages their involvement, Arab Americans are involved in the political elections this week on all levels, as candidates, as voters and as controversies.