How America’s 20-somethings are viewing the current peace initiative
From World War I to Vietnam, presidents have been working to implement peace throughout the world’s nations. However, each war has led our nation’s leaders to discover new ways of applying peace.
The plan
President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama is scheduled to take the essential strides to obtain peace in the Middle East by visiting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak May 26 and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas May 28.
Robert Gibbs, an Obama spokesman stated that the president will discuss steps the United States can take to deepen our relationships between not only Israelis and Palestinians but also between Israel and the Arab states.
From Jimmy Carter’s approach of diplomacy to George W. Bush’s injection of democracy into other cultures, peace ebbs and flows with the world’s current status. However, Obama’s declaration of change is a step most young American’s are grasping onto and believe can make a difference.
Public opinion on the peace initiative
Mileah Kromer, assistant professor of political science at Elon University
Mileah Kromer, assistant professor of political science and assistant director of the Elon University Poll believes that the public’s opinion on the peace initiative follows a few different trends. To discover these responses she and her colleagues have polled numerous North Carolina residents on the situation.
“Right now we see a few different trends in terms of public opinion, our recent university poll asked peoples public opinion towards the war in Iraq,” said Kromer. We see an overwhelming majority of people now who are opposed of the occupation in Iraq and the ongoing conflict. One of Barack Obama’s platforms when elected during the campaign was a strict timeline of withdrawal from Iraq. This is something overwhelmingly the majority of American’s are now supporting.”
Youth opinions
John Paul West
Young professionals and students alike have high hopes for Obama’s peace talks however daunting they may seem. John Paul West, a 2007 graduate from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University believes that Obama will be successful in extending a peaceful hand to Netanyahu, however expects Obama to remain realistic with his hopes for change.
“Since his inauguration, Barack Obama’s rhetoric regarding Israel has been troubling for those who consider the Israeli’s to be an unwavering ally amongst its questionable neighboring countries,” said West. “I sincerely hope that Barack can reach out to Netanyahu during this visit and reassure him that they have our continued support regarding the threat that Iran and other similarly dangerous countries pose. While the desired outcome for this region is surely an eventual long-lasting peace, I want Barack Obama to be realistic with his expectations and strike a balance between protecting our alliance with Israel and appealing to other countries in an effort to bring them to the negotiating table.”
Similarly, Elon University senior and art history major, Sarah Simmons hopes that Obama will realize the balance needed to maintain the peace between nations and also decrease the looting and stealing from nations.
“Most American’s don’t realize that these peace talks are not just about the war but also about the affects the war has had on these countries. Thousands of pieces of art and artifacts have been looted or damaged during the riots and fighting between these nations,” said Simmons.
Will it be successful?
Wade Blackburn
The success of these meetings is pending upon the actions of both nations. Wade Blackburn, a graduate from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University believes that diplomacy may not be the answer and that less U.S. involvement in the Middle East’s issues may be closer at hand.
“The Palestinian/Israeli conflict is that of such magnitude that third party diplomacy will most likely fail,” said Blackburn. “However, Obama’s actions will reflect positively on the World’s perception of the United States. However, it appears that this could be the beginning of less U.S. involvement in Israel.
While Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama’s meeting today in Washington is expected to be the first real diplomatic test for Obama, it is also will set the precedent for Obama’s upcoming Middle East trip. These forthcoming meetings will require extraordinary diplomatic tactics if it hopes to be successful.
Can Obama follow through?
John Harvey
While the current peace talks are expected to be successful some believe that nuclear threats may complicate the situation. John Harvey, a member of the USAF Reserves is one of those that believes this.
“Although the Israelis want the US to use its diplomatic clout to encourage the Palestinians to resume peace talks, that task is complicated by the continued threat of possible nuclear attacks on Israel by Iran,” stated Harvey.
The actual mechanics of Obama’s plan for change are difficult to apply due to changing relationships and situations in the Middle East. Kromer stated that the situation is “sticky” and Obama may be able to follow through with it, but none of us know for sure what is to happen in the future.
“Things could worsen and we could not pull our troops out. If things worsen or another political situation happens there then he will have to reevaluate his plan,” said Kromer.
Only time will reveal the outcome of the peace talks, though most young Americans have high expectations. However, many young American’s are unaware these talks are even happening due to the current economic downturn taking focus off international affairs and focused back on domestic issues.
Below, Mileah Kromer, assistant professor of political science at Elon University discusses Obama’s peace initiative:
