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As I watched tonight's debate between Obama and Clinton, one issue that raised my level of interest was the differing approaches that the two candidates had towards talks with Cuba. Clinton laid out a long series of preconditions that Cuba had to meet in order to earn a meeting with her, which essentially maintained the status quo. While Obama declared, and reconfirmed, his previous statement of his willingness to meet with Cuba, as well as the leaders of other states such as Iran and North Korea, without preconditions. I think this is one policy difference that is critical and truly differentiates Obama from Clinton, and certainly from McCain, or any other mainstream candidate, aside from the likes of Ron Paul or Dennis Kucinich. Over the past few years, I have grown increasingly concerned with the direction of our nation's foreign policy. I think it is absolutely absurd how the Bush administration has consistently refused to hold basic lines of communication open with states such as Iran, North Korea and the Hamas led government of the Palestinian Authorities. It is no wonder that we have seen little to no progress in these areas and issues of concern. What is truly disconcerting is the level of demonization that has become routine in our politics, that to even entertain communicating with these countries, would be considered selling out our national interests. There is absolutely nothing further from the truth. First of all, while human rights has consistently been used as a bar to judge whether we should speak to nations such as Iran or Cuba, it is a highly inconsistent bar. I will assert now that I do not believe for one second that US foreign policy decisions are concerned with human rights, designed to promote human rights, or based on the human rights situations of the nations or regions in question. Neither are the foreign policy decisions of France, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, Iran, or Cuba. The vast majority of nations on this earth, with the exception of small inconsequential states, do not, can not, and should not base their foreign policy decisions on human rights. Nations operate on the basis of national interest, and not on human rights. If US foreign policy decisions were made with the issue of human rights as a defining factor, the US would not be maintaining amiable relations with states such as Saudi Arabia, or supporting the dictatorship of Mubarek in Egypt, or supporting Israeli policies which denigrate the basic human rights of Palestinians. It is precisely because of these appalling hypocrisies that the condemnations issued by the Bush administration against states such as Cuba or North Korea fall on deaf ears. It is precisely because of these hypocrisies that anti-American sentiment is at an all time high in many regions throughout the world. It is important for Americans to understand these fallacies instead of living in an imaginary, self-righteous world. True, the United States is a great nation full of freedoms and opportunity. There is no doubt that the rights and liberties enjoyed by the average American citizen is envied by many across the world. But the domestic importance of human rights is not translated into our foreign policy. Neither am I arguing that they should be. The cornerstone of every nation's foreign policy should be that nation's national interests. Human Rights and other lofty ideals are only used as a cloak to justify policies. However, I think it is time to stop the childish and petty practice of demonizing other nations to the extent that we cannot even talk with them. Obama is very clear on this, and this is a primary reason why I support him. If Obama becomes president, he will be willing to meet without preconditions, the leaders of Iran, North Korea, Cuba and a host of many other countries. This attitude will bring a breathe of fresh air and will produce great progress in how America views the world, and how these countries view America. The past 8 years, we have seen the Bush administration maintain a foreign policy which has made America appear arrogant, patronizing and close minded. Obama will present a face of America to the world that says, "We may not agree with you, but we are willing to talk to you". It will be an America that is confident, that is open and is a leader. Great changes are in the air. If Obama travels to Cuba, the change will be revolutionary. Obama will be welcomed wherever he goes, because many of these countries are willing to establish normal ties with the US but have never been given the opportunity. Obama will open the door to Cuba, and will create the possibility of change. When America is no longer seen as a threatening force that seeks to destabilize and destroy the existence of the Cuban government, they will have the incentive and security to begin implementing reforms. With small reforms, great changes will become possible. Obama will end the 50 year old failed policy of the Cuba Embargo, which was based on enormous hypocrisy and denial of reality to begin with. The Cuban government in existence today, although not perfect, is ironically far more dedicated to human rights than the Batista regime that preceded it. A regime that was supported by the United States. I predict when Obama travels to Tehran to meet Iran's leadership, he will be welcomed with great fanfare and the entire nation of Iran will make sure not to waste such as a grand opportunity. Obama will open the door on cooperation and friendship that was always there, but locked shut by the stubborn ignorance and arrogance of the Bush administration. When Obama travels to North Korea, he will end the Black and White worldview of the Bush administration and create the opportunity to prod that state into economic reforms that will eventually introduce the seeds of economic opportunity and social change that will dramatically revolutionize that country's society as they did for it's neighbor, China. When Obama represents the United States in speaking and communicating with nations that are deemed "enemies", Obama is representing an America that can again act like a great leader on the world stage. Under the Bush administration, America refused to speak to others unless they fulfilled narrow and impossible conditions that gave absolutely no room for negotiation or face. America placed itself on a self-righteous pedestal that merely perched on a tower of hypocrisy based on foreign policy contradictions that was so obvious and plain to the rest of the world. It was an America that was petty, insular, small minded. What Obama brings to the table is something that no amount of Washington foreign policy "experience" can ever bring. It is his own life experience growing up in a foreign country, being a minority and coming from a multiracial background. It is an experience that has given him a unique insight into how other nations in the world might view America, rather than simply being limited to how Americans view America. This difference is key, because it allows Obama to build that bridge of understanding even with states that practice policies diametrically opposed to our democratic traditions. This understanding is not appeasement, neither is it tolerance of human rights abuses. This bridge of communication opens a door for influence and the possibility of breaking barriers in order to effect greater change without putting these nations on the defensive. In this way, America will again act as a great leader on the global stage. A leader that is magnanimous, self-confident and understanding. When America acts in this way, many great changes are possible. I believe out of the three remaining candidates, Obama is the only one qualified and only one capable of bringing about these changes.
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