The U.S. Elections and the Middle East: How Many Barack Obamas Do You Need to Change a Light Bulb?

Barry Rubin
The Rubin Report
03 November '10

What effect will the Congressional elections have on U.S. foreign policy generally and Middle East policy in particular?

It isn't a matter of individuals in Congress, since nobody lost or won who will have some big influence on U.S. policy in the next couple of years. The important factor is to what extent the White House hears the message being delivered by the electorate, which of course was largely concerned with domestic issues.

And this brings us to the central issue not only for U.S. policy but also for the world today: Is President Barack Obama both pragmatic and a politician, or is he an ideologue who has no grasp of the real world? After almost two years we are still asking this question because very little is really known about this man.

If Obama is pragmatic and a politician he will take note of two things. First, his foreign policy has not won great applause by the American people. Second, his foreign policy has not won great applause--at least outside of Western Europe, and even there they are having their doubts--by foreign leaders.

In addition, much of his policy in the Middle East has failed, certainly regarding Israel-Palestinian issues, Lebanon, and Syria.

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