Obama: Dictators Have No Reason to Fear

Just about a week into the 44th presidency in the United States, President Obama has already made clear that the Bush policy of pushing for democracy despite international standing is over. Instead, the palling around with dictators, soft hand with terrorists, and deaf ear to reformist efforts is in:

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," President Barack Obama said in his inaugural. But in truth, the new way forward is a return to realpolitik and business as usual in America's encounter with that Greater Middle East. As the president told Al-Arabiya television Monday, he wants a return to "the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago."

Associated Press/Al-Arabiya

Barack Obama is interviewed by Al-Arabiya television on Monday.

Say what you will about the style -- and practice -- of the Bush years, the autocracies were on notice for the first five or six years of George. W. Bush's presidency. America had toppled Taliban rule and the tyranny of Saddam Hussein; it had frightened the Libyan ruler that a similar fate lay in store for him. It was not sweet persuasion that drove Syria out of Lebanon in 2005. That dominion of plunder and terror was given up under duress.

Change is sometimes not always a good thing.

Obama's Plan Has Already Emboldened al Qaeda

President Obama moved swiftly to close the detention prison in Guantanamo Bay, and has frozen the trials of terrorism suspects. Apparently bowing to world pressure, the President believes that transferring, and perhaps freeing the suspects will bring a safer world. Well, there's already proof that this is not the case.

An al Qaeda operative freed from Guantanamo Bay not only rejoined terrorism, but is a major leader.

The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.

Al Shihri is the second in command of the al Qaeda network in Yemen. Yemen is not only near the Horn of Africa, but it borders Saudi Arabia and is a training ground for Wahabbism.

So President Obama, take your decisions heavily. Lives depend on this, not just international approval.

How Low Will Oil Prices Go?

The national average price of gasoline has fallen to $2.22 and the price of a barrel of oil has fallen to near $56.

Now, with the slowing global economy, will oil prices continue to fall? Some factors point to yes: 1. U.S. promises to drill more may flatten oil prices. 2. Increased ethanol production cuts down on gasoline demand. 3. If people don't have additional money because they're saving, the less they spend on gas. 4. If you're unemployed, you're not commuting to work every day.

But other factors point otherwise: 1. Obama wanting to restrict domestic oil drilling. 2. Cheaper gas prices may encourage people to travel just from the low prices. 3. Saudi Arabia has stated that it doesn't want oil to fall below $50. A drastic cut in oil production could spike prices. 4. A terrorist threat in the Middle East could cause a price spike.

So, where will oil be in six months? I'd guess around $75 with gas around $2.80.
Also, if you need to search anything on Google, please use the bar below: