Change We Can Believe In? The Muslim World, America, and Obama's Promise
1 Jun 2009 in Education, Employment
Despite the pervasive challenges of poverty and illiteracy, the two strongest ties that bind the US and the Muslim world are still military aid and oil. A new foundation for engagement must include instruments such as trade, investment and human development, argue Navtej Dhillon, Laurence Chandy, and Geoffrey Gertz.
On June 4, 2009, President Obama will deliver his long-anticipated speech to the Muslim world in Cairo. This speech represents an important milestone in the president’s broader efforts to heal the rift which has come to characterize U.S.-Muslim relations and to redefine U.S. foreign policy in this critical area.
In reaching out to the Muslim world, President Obama will invariably touch upon some of the most important concerns and grievances, including the Arab-Israeli conflict and the need to enhance respect and understanding between the U.S. and the Muslim world. The president will outline the contributions and achievements of Islamic civilization, and recognize the economic, social, and political progress underway in several Muslim countries. Reaffirming the U.S.’s dedication to law and a more principled foreign policy, the president will hail the early symbolic successes of his administration such as the commitment to close Guantanamo Bay.
However, the fundamentals of U.S.-Muslim ties remain deeply flawed. Despite the pervasive challenges of poverty and illiteracy, the two strongest ties that currently bind the U.S. and the Muslim world are military aid and oil. Instruments which can improve the lives of ordinary people such as trade, investment and development are largely missing from US-Muslim relations. This is a weak foundation on which to build a broad-ranging, mutually beneficial relationship, as President Obama hopes to do.
