Not much of a 'change'

Advisers of US President Barack Obama made a clever gesture by choosing Al Arabiya satellite channel to carry his first interview to the Arab world. By avoiding the more popular Al Jazeera, they reinforced a message of "new language" to the region, regardless of the actual deeds the language describes.

Al Jazeera has been criticised by the Israelis and Arab moderates for its exposing coverage of the Gaza massacres. So, Al Jazeera is seen as biased towards the Arabs and against Israel (consequently, against America) and appearing on it might convey a wrong message. On the other hand, Al Arabiya has established a reputation for itself as being "objective" and "non-biased" especially when it comes to Israel.

The vehicle choice was smart in showing the "change" promised by Obama in his election campaign. It also carried another message to American friends in the Arab world that the "language" is changing and they should engage with their societies. Yet, that was all about "shape" and nothing really concerning content.

The interview, along with Obama's inauguration speech, aroused a lot of optimism that was reflected in the coverage of his statements and opinion pieces written after the interview. One would not like to be the odd pessimist in a sea of expectations but higher expectations have always led to deep frustrations. Apart from the change of language and the shape of engagement in general, nothing much is said on substance. The eloquent inauguration speech and the "reaching for Arabs and Muslims" interview did not specify any real change in US policies - except for in the image maybe.

First of all, whatever is the charisma and personal views of a US President, he is not an autocratic ruler who sets policies according to his wishes. The system of governance in the US is more complicated to the extent that many power centres are involved in setting policies. Though personal attitudes of senior figures play a role, it is not that absolute. Looking at the world stage, one can hardly notice any change that might inspire a paradigm shift in American foreign policies.

Then, there's no reason for the US to change its Middle East policy of backing Israel no matter what the circumstances are, and the Arab world has done nothing to expect any change. That's why one must not be so optimistic about the "change" of language with Obama in office, as interests did not change and therefore goals are the same old ones. The US is entitled to pursue its interests by the means it sees fit, but others should not be fooled that a change in "language" means a change in actions.

In his interview, Obama said his administration would communicate the message that America is not against Muslims and Arabs. That's the same old rhetoric we heard from George W. Bush and Tony Blair since 9/11. While they were launching wars, invading and occupying countries, they preached to us about true Islam and how they're liberating us of our own prejudices. Their deeds, on the other hand, were labelling all Arabs and Muslims as "terrorists" or potential terrorists for disagreeing with American politics.

When it came to the Arab peace initiative, Obama chose to be neutral. About the American role in a peaceful settlement in the region, the president reiterated the rhetoric of his predecessors that Washington can't decide for the concerned parties - and the concerned parties have long decided and one party (Palestinian with moderate Arab backing) has compromised many times in the face of more Israeli aggression.

Obama will need a lot of briefings and experience before he formulates a vision. There's nothing to suggest that the main source of information about the region would not be the same as before - Israel. His deputy, Joe Biden, and his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, hold the same views.

Despite the rhetoric and change of language, no real change is expected, especially with the prospect of a far-right victory in Israel's elections. Yet, change in "shape" could be good enough to help eradicate some of the negative concepts about Arabs and Muslims that are precipitated in the minds of the Western public.

Dr Ahmad Mustafa is a London-based Arab writer.