Obama: Hopefully He Wins

Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

November 2009

President Barak Obama may be about to score big points for his diplomacy programme. Many are waiting for the controversial US president to fail but there are signs that seem to be working in his favor.

Recenlty Obama has had talks with the Russian leadership. Russian President Medvedev announced Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would introduce a new economic plan early in the new year.

Russia is about to open the doors for foreign investment and it will be under careful Putinesque surveillance. This vital turnaround is needed to stimulate the Russian economy in crisis. One of the most important prospects for success will require an influx of investors from the USA. You can be certain that investment will not come without improved Russia-USA communication.

Tense exchanges have followed immediately. Iran is not too happy about a Russia-USA co-operative but that is where Russia is headed.

The recent Obama visit to meet with the China leadership has also sent bad vibes towards Tehran. China needs increased internal income to avoid a financial implosion.

Chinese people are frugal. Less than 3 out of ten Chinese have or use credit cards. The Chinese prefer to use cash and they have a goal of saving a quarter of their annual income.

Chinese market butchers have warned families have reduced their pork purchases lately. They regard that as a clear indication of a belt-tightening programme and a warning of unrest which will have to be an issue for the leadership.

To avoid an internal meltdown China may believe their greatest hope for commercial activity is by co-operating with the US. I was stunned on my recent visit to the USA to learn that 80 percent of the Wal Mart retail merchandise is ‘made in China.’

This is a concern for the workforce in the US. Obama has difficult choices to make here.

But internationally, Obama already has strong support favoring harsh penalties on Iran, particularly if they continue playing the delaying game. If Obama is able to bring Russia and China into the sanctions club, Iran will be dangerously isolated.

Iranian terror activity against the Saudi regime is now open knowledge further creating animosity. It may be Israel will be able to shelve its military plans for the time being, and President Obama may yet get to say, ‘I told you so!”

I hope so!