We Are Not Your Enemy, Obama Tells Arab World

President Barack Obama gave his first interview to Dubai-based television station Al Arabiya, which reaches millions of viewers across the middle east and the world. He used the platform to expand upon his vision of a way forward between the United States and all Arab nations, including Iran. Here are some highlights:



Obama went on to say, "My job is to communicate that Americans are not your enemy," and since becoming president, he has made good on his pledge to "extend a hand, if you [Arab governments] unclench your fist." While it remains to be seen whether Obama's kinder and gentler approach to Arab nations will bring about the kinds of changes he is hoping for, the rhetorical shift and direct engagement is a welcome development. The Palestinian Authority reacted with heartened shock when it learned that Obama's first foreign call as president had gone out to Mahmud Abbas. Similarly, executives at Al Arabiya probably had to pinch themselves at the realization that they were getting an interview with the new president before practically everyone else on the planet. To hear Obama tell it, his course of action even has Al Qaeda a tad disoriented:

Obama also said that recent statements and messages issued by the al-Qaida terror network suggest they do not know how to deal with his new approach.

"They seem nervous," he told the interviewer. "What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt."

While there are positive signs for renewed dialog with Middle Eastern nations, setting the mood is just the beginning of what will remain a daunting road ahead for this administration, and the ones that will follow it.