Given the tone of President Obama’s Middle East speech yesterday, I expect it will be a very lively sit-down with Benjamin Netanyahu today. Awaiting reports.
There was a lot to comment on (e.g. the speech’s thematic Bush-era neoconservatism, the call for “1967” borders, the lack of any mention whatsoever of either Islam or Saudi Arabia, and plenty more) but I’ve no time at the moment. The oddest line by far, though, was this:
The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.
What???
You can bet that’s bound to come up in today’s little chat.
Update:
The Syrian people have shown their courage in demanding a transition to democracy. President Assad now has a choice: he can lead that transition, or get out of the way.
…or not…
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Well, our President has one bunch of folks in his corner, and it would appear decidely so. This from the Bahraini government:
“The Cabinet of the Kingdom of Bahrain have welcomed the principles contained in the speech delivered by the US president Barack Obama that included visions and principles that agree with democratic strategy adopted by Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Moreover, the Cabinet also affirmed that the door for dialogue was open in the Kingdom of Bahrain since the launch of the National Action Charter and would remain so and hopes that the dialogue witnesses the participation of all to achieve a national consensus through constitutional establishments.”
Ahh. Nothing like a good old fashioned Arab Spring.