As everyone on our planet capable of reading and understanding already knows the half-black lawyer and Senator Barrak Hussein Obama, aged 47, has been chosen as the 44th President of the United States. While history was made in the US, in a way that wouldn’t have even been conceivable two decades ago, the Democrats also had a second historic candidate, a woman, Hillary Clinton crushing all preconceptions seen by an electoral victory.

“ It’s time for change” was Obama’s campaign slogan and politicians promised the world would now be a better and safer place and the economy would be revitalized. This’ll probably happen because the economy couldn’t possibly be in a worse state after Bush’s 8 year tenure in office. This was the main reason for Obama’s victory along with the fact that his rival candidate lacked the charisma and style that Obama portrayed on the podium.

The electoral victory caused hysteria in the US as well as all over the world apart from Russians who remained sceptical. In the US Obama was hailed as the new messiah and slogans like “ Obama- thy Kingdom come” and “Obama – the saviour” challenge all rules of good taste. They are not the fault of the candidate but demonstrate more the failings of Bush and every aspect of his administration in addition to a total frustration with his policies. There was a demand for change – a fact that Bush had ensured years before the election.

There is however one matter we must bear in mind; it is a lot easier to win the elections in the US than it is to govern the country. Obama will come to realise this within six months into his term as president. Eight years ago, Bush took over the presidency of a country with a budget surplus and since then the economy has spiralled into chaos. Continuous funding of military operations has eaten away at the national budget leaving a massive deficit which banks have funded without any real collateral. Banks handed out loans to consumers hand over fist which in turn raised the value of, for example, property as a result of speculation. In the end this house of cards came tumbling down and in time the US will pull through but whether it will happen during Obama’s first term as president is another matter.

The world has reacted to Obama in many different ways, the most alarming of which being the Islamic world considering him to be a Muslim. This is because of Obama’s heritage as his father is a Muslim and all children born to a male are considered to be Muslim. This is also the case with Obama whose father died when he was only two-years old after which he adopted his mother’s faith, Christianity. However according to Islamic law, Obama’s turning to Christianity has no relevance since it happened pre – puberty and thus as a minor cannot be held accountable. Obama is therefore free to turn back to Islam, his first religion.

This is a matter that Muslim leaders have strived to emphasise with Gadhafi of Libya at the forefront. Ahmadinejad has also congratulated Obama with a pinch of wishful thinking.

Osama vs Obama

There is one, however, who disagrees and that is our old friend Osama bin Laden, who feels that Obama is guilty of blasphemy and therefore deserves the death penalty. He justifies this by stating that over 30 years has passed since Obama became a Christian giving him ample time to turn back to Islam. Obama will not make a proper Muslim as he has liased with Jews and even prayed to the Christian God at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, itself an act of blasphemy punishable by death.

Attempts by Ahmadinejad of Iran to better relations with the US have failed with Obama giving a speech on the 8 November stating that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are unacceptable and nothing can be ruled out in preventing this, including diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions and finally a military strike.

Fuelled on by this, Ehud Barak, the Defence Minister of Israel stated that his country’s policies were along the same lines and that a strike might be possible. There will be a bit of a hurry as all the major intelligence agencies, along with the IAEA, agree that it is a matter of months until Iran has sufficient material for a nuclear bomb. February 2009 is the deadline with enough material for four more bombs by the end of the year.

Iran has also informed its wishes to acquire plutonium which cannot be in a natural state and is rather the by-product of burned out uranium, found in nuclear power plants. The Busher plant in Iran will commence production in a few months as it was held up by an air strike made a year ago by Israel into a nuclear power plant under construction in Syria. Russian radar technology was ridiculed and because the same technology was being used by the Iranians, work was halted until an upgraded radar system was in place. Russian radar technicians are now back at work in Iran. The Israelis have stated unofficially that they are capable of avoiding the new radar system as well and will strike Iran if necessary (please read earlier columns).

Obama and Israel, what’s the situation?

A good question with an even better answer as no one can know for sure but as 78% of American Jews voted for Obama there must be some level of faith that he will back Israel in both good and bad. The opinion polls were more evenly balanced in Israel with a slight majority of the conservatives being in favour of Mc Cain. Israel has its own elections ahead as Tsipi Livini was unable to form a functioning government. Elections for a new prime minister and the formation of Knesset will be held on the 10^th of February 2009. It’s about time too as Kadima, which is structured around Sharon, has re-cycled its own politicians at the head of the country without a mandate from the people. As a result Israel is in a slight crisis concerning its domestic and foreign policies.

Obama has already shown some positive signs concerning the formation of his cabinet. The experienced Rahm Emanuel, a Jew ,was chosen to be Chief of Staff, the fourth most important post in government. Mr Emanuel’s father has held the post of Chief of General Staff of the IDF.

Israel needs a strong leader who has the mandate of the people be it Livini, Netanyahu or a third party and its foreign policy has to have a clear direction. All the behind the scenes negotiations and hot and cold policies have not born any fruit nor will there be peace as long as the main objective of the Palestinian oppositions remains the destruction of Israel. Predictions favour the opposition party Likud with 30 –32 seats and leaving Kadima with 26 – 29. Not an overwhelming majority but it would give the priministership to Benjamin Netanyahu.

What will be the nature of Obama’s policy? If his statements to The Jerusalem Post are anything to go by he upholds Israel’s right to defend itself and feels that Jerusalem should remain an undivided capital. Negotiations should carry on with the Palestinians, including Hamas, but only after they have ceased all strikes and a policy leading to the destruction of Israel. All in all, justified ideas.

The same sources also tell another story. During a visit to Ramallah, Obama had stated to Mahmoud Abbas that in the event of him becoming president Obama would make sure that Jerusalem will become the capital of Palestine. This was not lost on the Arab press who made a great fuss over the matter.

Was this a misunderstanding or two differing opinions from the same person , only time will tell.

Hamas has stated that if Obama wishes to make any sort of progress in the Middle East he must open negotiations with them as well. However, it may take some time until he has the necessary tools, not to mention the willingness to tackle this problem. Hamas have informed that they will be prepared to accept a Palestinian state according to the pre-1967 borders. This statement is the first of its kind as previously nothing less then an area covering the whole of Israel would do. Present at the meeting in Gaza were 11 EU parliament members who were transformed into a semi euphoric state upon hearing the concession.

Someone picked up the courage to ask about the nature the position of Israel to which Khaled Meshaal answered that Israel will never be recognised but they will, however, offer a long-lasting truce or hudna.

In practice this means an expanded Gaza and from within an independent state it would be easier to arm oneself for continued strikes against Israel. This seems to be the main goal and not so much the establishing of a sovereign state.

According to the latest opinion polls, a final peace in still an elusive concept. Over 67% are in favour of Hamas’s plan for an independent state according to the pre-1967 borders while 74% still oppose recognising Israel.

Hamas have also begun to strike Israel with rockets from Gaza on an almost daily basis with IDF having to retaliate and as per usual being made to look like the guilty party committing crimes against humanity. Or this, is how the media spins the truth.

In Lebanon Hizbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, is arming itself to the teeth and have thus become uncontrollable as their influence increases. Russia has also chipped in by selling the organisation 3000 ultra modern anti tank missiles bringing their total number of rockets and missiles to well over 40,000 pieces.

In practice, Syrian troops have surrounded Lebanon and are only awaiting an opportunity to invade the country again. According to their obsessive beliefs, the whole of the Levant area including Israel, is part of the historic Greater Syria with the current situation being only a temporary arrangement.

Syria has also continuously added to the number of troops in the Golan area and are waiting hopefully for concessions from Ehud Olmert. These negotiations have been long in the running.

However, the opposition party Likud has informed in advance that they will not accept any of Olmert’s accomplishments during the transition period.

The above map illustrates smuggling routes into the Bekaa valley used by Hizbollah, with consent from Syria.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hizbollah was close to meeting Allah a few weeks ago as a result of a serious bout of food poisoning. Experts were quickly flown in from Iran and Nasrallah’s appointment with paradise remains a far away fantasy. Unofficial sources claim that Mossad had been able to slip something extra into Nazrallah’s meal. Naturally Mossad denies all involvement and probably think that if they were guilty, the job would have been finished. Well Hassan Nasrallah has plenty of enemies and, especially within the Sunni world, his actions are not very popular.

It doesn’t look good

After this more or less militarily/politically tinted view it is time to take look at the spiritual side of things and with good cause. Next week Christian and Islamic worlds will meet in Rome for a conference to try and find a mutual understanding. Leading Islamic Imams have written a piece called “A Common Word” which has been sent to the Vatican and to England to Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury.

The main message of the letter is based on a passage in the Koran stating that Muslims and Christians serve the same god and should therefore cease all enmities and strive to find harmony with each other. The passage in the Koran in written so that even one of lesser intelligence can understand it. Below are a few excerpts ( in brackets are the columnist’s clarifications).

Chapter 42:13 He (Allah) has commanded you (Muslims) with the same religion he has given to Noah and which we have informed you (Muhammed) and which we have passed on to Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

Chapter 29:46 Debate peacefully with those who have received the book ( Jews and Christians) and say : our Allah and your God are one and the same, let us bow to him.

In order to make matters perfectly clear the freedom of religion is stated at the beginning of the Koran.

Chapter 3:85 For he who chooses another religion apart from Islam will not be in Allah’s favour and shall face damnation in the afterlife.

So according to the Koran religion can be chosen. As I have often stated previously, Islam does not require the Muslim to believe in the Koran, Allah or in Muhammed but he must however bow before its supremacy and acknowledge it. Other religions can be practiced but a price will be paid here and there will be eternal damnation in the afterlife.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was pleased to have received such a clear indication for reconciliation from the Islamic world. He feels there are good grounds for discussions. However, those at the Vatican were more cautious but there will be talks.

The Islamic leaders are unwilling to talk about Jesus, the holy cross, the resurrection and the Trinity which are the fundamental aspects of Christianity. They are false teachings and should be abandoned at once, Muhammed should be recognised as the main prophet and Jesus as a lesser one. After this, all will be well.

The fact that a Christian member of the clergy is ready to negotiate on the basis of this letter, let alone hold it in his hand, shows us how liberal and common theology has become with a readiness to abandon fundamental aspects of Christianity. A philosopher from antiquity once said “oh these times, oh these habits”.

Something positive

The Israeli oil company, Zion Oil, which was founded a few years ago has begun to test drill in Negev. The area is situated to the west of the Dead Sea, North of Arad and about 15 km west of the Masada fortress near the small village of Tamur.

If the results of the drilling are as expected, the find might be quite substantial. Nothing, however, to rock the world oil markets but enough for Israel’s domestic purposes.

The columnist wishes all a joyful pre-Christmas period.
Pekka Sartola