Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Fujairah: The world is holding its breath in anticipation as to what the changes will be from the new American government led by President-elect Barack Obama.
Will there be a change in the economy, a stop to the "war against terror", and a positive change of perception of Arabs? Or will the changes be a negative one?
In a recent Gulf News poll, 59 per cent of respondents said they think Obama's election as US president will have a positive global impact, 37 per cent said it will not make any difference and the minority, at four per cent, said it will have a negative global impact.
City Talk took to the streets and asked residents if they think Barack Obama will make policy changes for the Middle East, whether it could personally affect them and what should his policies be for the region.
Hossam Al Masri, an Egyptian general manager, 31, said: "So far there has not been any good American policy but hopefully he can change all that. I think he could be able to make a change for the Middle East and be less likely to start another war in the region."
Elizabeth Cadelina, a Filipina working at the Czech Embassy, said: "I watched the elections very keenly and I am an Obama fan from the start. I believe that he will be able to make better policies for his country, which will bring in a positive change for the rest of the world as well. With his victory, my hopes are raised and I hope his policies will make our lives better. I am waiting to see that positive change take effect."
Khalid Al Hammadi, an Emirati businessman, 34, said: "I think he has a lot of intelligence and will do the right thing for the region. Hopefully, he should start making peaceful diplomatic relations with Iran and help recover the economic situation."
Sneha Naveen, an accountant from Canada, 34, said: "He would be able to make a change and act as a good catalyst for peace in the Middle East. I honestly think that all Gulf leaders will have good relations with America and work together to put an end to the problems."
Mohammad, an Algerian engineer, 50, said: "Ever since September 11, Americans have had a particular mindset towards all Muslims and the whole of the Arab world. I think this should change. We accept everybody and agree to live with them, and I hope Americans will also accept us and agree to live with us."
Hassan Al Magribi, an Egyptian accountant, 37, said: "The new administration will have a different, less aggressive tone but I am not sure the policies towards the Middle East will be that much different. We heard how president-elect Obama was pandering to Israel and the Jewish lobby, promising Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of the Zionist state. If he sticks to that promise, that's the death of the so-called peace process. I hope that was just electioneering on his part and he will have a more balanced and pragmatic approach. I am sure he wants to depart from the Bush doctrine, which got us nowhere, and make his own stamp on history."
Fawzia Anayatullah, a Pakistani nurse, 29, said: "Obama's policies will affect other countries as well because they do interfere with other countries. But everyone has high hopes pinned on Obama to make a difference in a good way."
Ali Abdul Hussain, a real estate agent from Iraq, 41, said: "American foreign policy never changes and the new president will find that out once he has to deal with Congress and the Jewish lobbies. American policies have been based on their military muscle and pure capitalist greed. I do not think they will do anything for the Palestinians or, despite their noises, confront Iran because to them Iran is like the bogeyman from which they have benefited in the past and will continue to do so."