Obama interview on Al-Arabiya

In a marked and substantial difference from the Bush administration, Barack Obama gave an interview with Al-Arabiya, an Arab news network, where he emphasized the importance of dealing with the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. Obama also reached out an olive branch to Muslims throughout the world, acknowledging that people in his family were Muslims and that their lives matter, too. Lastly, he claimed that Al-Qaeda was nervous to have him around.

It was a brilliant PR move. I have often said that the "War on Terror" may party be a war on the ground, but that it was mostly a war of ideas. Al-Qaeda, while disgusting morally, is essentially a political organization that, through some saavy propganda, has one over the hearts of many Muslims. George Bush never understood that. But Obama does. He is attacking Muslim Fundmentalism where it counts. He is telling the Muslim world that United States is not the bad guy. It's a new game in the world. And we have a wise, impressive leader to play it.