Between his lines

In a speech that will be scrutinised by the US electorate for its nuances,for what it said and what it didnt,Obama firmly upheld the freedom of speech against the kind of violent reaction that has ostensibly been provoked by Innocence of Muslims,a California-produced anti-Islamic film that has been condemned by his administration. His warning that it is the obligation of all leaders to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism will not be lost on leaders trying to manage the post-Arab Spring democracies and natural targets of extremism themselves. Another risky electoral and strategic challenge for Obama is Iran. Under attack from Romney and under pressure from Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu to set clear red lines for Tehran,Obama emphasised the US would do what it must to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons even as he rejected the Israeli demand.

The UNGA is more about rhetoric and atmospherics than substance,and the irony of the debate this time is underscored by the fact that the two pressing global concerns the Syrian conflict and the Middle East violence were not even on its formal agenda. Obamas firmness may be meant primarily to blunt Romneys rather incoherent attack on his Middle East policy. But implied in the speech was an admission that the US would have to be patient and not abandon the process of change in the Arab world.

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