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Muslim Affairs Team
Answer
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Name
Asif
-
Profession
Question
Dr. Rabei,
What exactly is the difference between Obama and McCain pertaining to their Iraq policy?
Answer
McCain is like Bush; in fact, many of the Newcons that left or were forced to leave the Bush administration during the last year or so have joined McCain campaign.
Obama has some fresh faces, but of his advisers have worked for the Clinton administration,especially those in charge of ME
Name
DHAMEEM
- India
Profession
ENGINEER
Question
Will the democrats really pull out US occupation army if Obama wins the white house race ? Who do you think will be his vice presidential candidate ?
Answer
Yes; I believe they pull out, but this does not mean they will leave no traces there; they are more likely to maintain an advisory role; it depends on the Iraqis after that.
As for VP, we should all know in few days.
Name
Sulymon
- Nigeria
Profession
Teacher
Question
Why do we Muslim hang our hope on western country policies especially US? Can't we use our own political system to solve our problem since Islam has one time or the other rule this world?
Answer
The world we live in today is much different from the world of centuries ago; yet, we do not need to relay on US, but we cannot ignore it; what is needed first is to develop a strategy that defines our national interests and how to advance them, or at least how to protect them.
I do not know of any Arab or Islamic state that has developed such a strategy yet.
Name
zeineb
-
Profession
student
Question
What are the differences between McCain's foreign policy and Bush's foreign policy? Are they really the same?
Answer
There is not much difference, but circumstances change, and that might cause MaCain to modify his policies in the future the way Bush did over the last few months. However, the basic philosophy is similar and the old advisers of Bush and the new ones for McCain.
Name
Abdelrahman Rashdan
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Profession
Question
Thank you Dr. Rabie for your presence with us today,
Many believe that Obama's policy when it comes to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict is deeply rooted in his culture and beliefs and that he is only playing politics when it comes to his AIPAC speeches. After all, he has been close to the American Arab community and sympathized with the Palestinians before his campaign started.
To what extend do you think this is true? and to what extend can the firm system in Washington play the pressure on Obama to go far pro-Israel than Arabs and Muslims expect?
Answer
Thanks for this very important question.
I believe that when people vote they vote out of hope for change, or out of fear of the status quo or the alternative. There is no doubt that Obama expressed himself in ways that had been more favorable toward the Palestinians, but in the US institutions rule, not individuals; and as far as US foreign policy is concerned, there are 8 major centers of power that participate actively in shaping US policy.
Name
Tomasz
- United States
Profession
Question
AsSalamu 'Alaykum brother:
The main qualm I have with the foreign policy of the USA is the wanton spreading of "Democracy" without analysis about the flaws and potential areas of problems in society that will result from the theoretical construct of it.
What say you about the apparent disregard of the Americans to analyze the system of governance they want for the rest of the world?
*Question modified by Editor
Answer
The principles of democracy have become a universal value acceptable to most peoples of the world. However, the democratic system in the US is not working any more. The environment and the major forces that helped construct the democratic system have changed, and so are the causes it was meant to serve and the goals to achieve.
The greatest success of democracy today could not be seen in its design as a political system but in its ability to mediate between people as a sociocultural value and to help spread the culture of tolerance.
Name
Yahya
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Profession
Question
Many people are saying that as Muslims we must be against Obama because-
#1 He disassociates himself with Islam.
#2 He is with the Israel policy.
It seems to me that if anyone wanted to even run for president then they must be as such otherwise regarding
#1 the media will destroy you in no time and regarding
#2 It would be foolish for any American politician to say "O Americans we have wasted billions of your tax dollars on an oppressive illegal terrorist regime.
So if he were to align himself as such it doesn't necessarily mean he's against us, it just simply means he's a smart politician? What is your take on his views?
Answer
Again, I must say that people vote out of hope for change or out of fear of the alternative; I believe that Obama will institute some change and certainly is not as bad as the alternative.
Obama's campaign did a disservice for Islam and Muslims in America. When he denies being a Muslim, he accept, though implicitly, the negative things that are being said about Islam and Muslims.
The media in America is strong and influential and could harm his chances, but the most important institution that supports Israel today and no president can stop is the US congress.
Name
Omar
- Egypt
Profession
Question
McCain has more credibility on the level of the national security which reflects on his foreign policy and the pressure he can plays on Israel in the peace talks, while Obama doesn't. Will that play a role in determining the result of the elections?
Answer
I do not believe so; yet the implication of your question is that McCain might be better as far as the Arab-Israeli conflict. This is not true; McCain could try to solve the problem but would not go against the US congress and even cannot because it is expected to have a democratic majority and thus more support for Israel.
In addition, he is doing what Bush did 8 years ago, he is engaged in a what I call "recycling of human trash" left by his predecessor; the Neocons.
Name
Amro
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Profession
Question
It is highly assumed that political and business lobbies, military-industrial complex,and influential groups,like pharmaceuticals ones, have great influence on decision-making authorities in USA,especially among the rank-and-file.
In case Obama wins, do you think that Obama will continue yielding to the power of the rank-and-file or he will be able to inject some youthful elements inside decision-making authorities- a counter elite- so as to embark on his outspoken foreign policy.
Answer
There are several forces that shape US foreign policy, the major ones are: the president and the executive branch, mainly the national security council and the departments of state and defense; the US congress; the media; the public opinion; the lobby and the intelligence community; and the think tanks.
I believe that Obama will introduce some change but not as much as we would like to see; he will face not only the Israeli lobby and the media, but also his democratic congress, especially the senate.
Name
A.I.
-
Profession
Question
What do you think about the "October Surprise"? (some claim that Bush might attack Iran in Oct. so as to give a huge push for McCain's campaign and make him win the elections)
Answer
It becomes less likely every day; there is no consensus among Bush's aides and congress is against it and so are US allies and the major world powers and the public opinion and also there is no way to predict the outcome, especially if Iran goes after US forces in the gulf region and attack oil fields; it is a gamble not worth taking, most experts, as well as me, believe.
Name
Hanen
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Profession
Question
Many see that the 2 candidates are from 2 generations.
Do US voters see age - as McCain is 71 and Obama is 46- as an issue? And how can age affect the candidate attitudes and foreign policy if elected?
Answer
Yes; voters see age and therefore most young people are for Obama; they also see race and therefore most whites, especially in the south favor McCain.
The problem with Obama is that he lost his touch and made changes that changed his face; instead of leading as he started, he is trying to follow public opinion polls. At the end, people will have to decide based on the pocket books more than there race, age, or even convictions, and so far this favors Obama more that McCain.
Name
Editor — Abdelrahman Rashdan
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Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank Dr. Mohamed Rabie for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in the dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to answer all the questions due to time limitation.
Kind regards,
Muslim Affairs Team
Answer
Thanks Mr. Rashdan; I enjoyed being with you and will be happy to do it again.
