Amman, Jordan

I realize it's tacky to have visited an internet cafe twice in one day, but there are a few things I would like to write before I forget them. Today I read a copy of the Jordan Times. On the front page was an article about various people in Amman's thoughts on Obama. Most seem to highly approve of how they think he will approach the Arab-Israeli conflict. One 70 year old woman was quoted as saying that she feels it's the first time that a president is speaking to Arabs rather than down on them. Another man said that he thinks it would be a step in the right direction if Obama opens dialogue with Hamas. We can talk in the West all we want about how we shouldn't engage in talks with Hamas because they're a terrorist organization, but in case there was any doubt let it be known that the average Arab thinks opening dialogue with them would be a good idea. I came here expecting to find Arab nationalism and a resentment of US interference in the region, but what I have witnessed is much different. Even though they know whose side the US government is on when it comes to Israel, most Arabs seem angry that the US will not intervene to stop the violence when things flare up as they did in Gaza. I think this is because they consider "Occupied Palestine" to be a Western nation and therefore under the US sphere of influence. They seem to think that Obama could call up Olmert tomorrow and tell him how to run his country. The thing is, they're probably right. Although our image has been severely tarnished in recent years, it is hard to deny that our historical credibility and unconditional support of Israel have given the state an unnatural upper hand politically speaking. I truly believe that a change in US foreign policy could be a catalyst for significant change in the region. Since arriving here several light bulbs have gone off in my head regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, but I will save my more controversial ideas for private conversation. I will say a few things, however. I often get annoyed when I think about how the entire world has been trying for 60 years to get these assholes to get along, but this isn't exactly true. What the entire world has been trying to do for 60 years is to get the Arabs to accept the State of Israel, very little the other way around. If I'm misinformed in this area please feel free to correct me, but this is just the way it has always seemed to me. When dealing with the Palestinians it is imperative that we think outside our bubble. This may seem obvious but it's also obvious that we're not doing it. To demonstrate what I mean by "thinking outside our bubble" I'll give a few unrelated examples. The UN Human Development Index ranks Mexico as one of the world's most advanced nations, yet Americans who walk across the border into Tijuana are often horrified by what they see. But having visited Colombia after extensive travel in Mexico, I understand that Mexico is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. I realize that this comment could be offensive to the millions of Mexicans who have left their country in search of a better life, but Mexico's wealth is a statistical fact and only furthers my point. An American arriving in Jordan may see the picture of an unelected monarch everywhere he looks and easily assume that this country is ruled by an egomaniacal tyrant. But adoration of the leader, especially a good one, is common in the region. Of all Arab leaders in power at the moment, King Abdullah is probably the single most well respected, both throughout the Middle East and the West. Many Jordanians will tell you how much they actually do admire him, and I believe that their comments are genuine. The world is not as small as we think. For this reason, all nations can not be held to the same standard of decency. I realize the absurdity of this idea, and I myself have a deep problem with it. But I am convinced that diplomacy will rarely succeed when we assume common ground that doesn't actually exist. God damn it, I've become an actual blogger.