No doubt Kerry delivered a very good speech in Davos , I was transfixed listening to him speak about how American policy under Obama has changed the world for the better. Some parts of his speech invoked cause for disagreement on matters such as Libya for example, but there were many salient and important aspects that I found interesting.
A few interesting observations....
His references to Africa were largely about corruption and malefeceance , unfortunate that this view of Africa stills taints American attitudes towards Africa. Alas,despite the hope and opportunity of emerging Africa, a major speech like that would focus only on the failure to deal with boko haram due to corruption, malefeceance in burundi and so foth, indicative perhpas of American prejudices and obsession with anti terrorism and corruption. These are important topics certainly but not definative of the african narrative. Us-Africa relations need to deepen consesus around pivotal anchors in thieir relations . America cannot afford to look at Africa as a delinquent teenager that offers nothing but despair and disappointment , if they choose to do so, its only at their own peril.
I agree with Kerry that in 2015, we have seen some amazing shifts in international politics. The thawed Cuban-American relationship is a terrific development which has been largely undervalued. For internationalist and progressives like myself, it was terrific to see this detente in my lifetime. For a large part of my youth and student activism, Palestine, Cuba , Myamar, East Timor and Western Sahara have occupied my mind as major international conflict areas that needed redress. Today, all but Palestine and Western Sahara, remain unresolved.
That Obama has not only engaged Cuba constructively but has freed the Cuban 5, is progress that must be acknowledged. It can only be positive for humanity, that Cuba is once again in the fold of the international community without restriction.
Again on Iran, Kerry did well to justify the actions of the Obama administration in relations to the middle east. Firstly he was correct to emphasise the importance of broad international consesus in the resolution of international conflicts as happened in the conclusion of the Iranian nuclear disarmament deal. That all parties emerged as winners out for this deal has made the world safer kerry proclaimed. A nuclear free middle east is good for world peace,is a statement non of us can disagree with. Except that, the middle east isn't nuclear free. Despite the difficulties of doing so Kerry and Obama must start a procces to ensure that Isreal doesn't continue to pusue a path of aggressive zero sum zionism. Netanyahu's insolent and arrogant diplomacy isn't good for the middle east and isn't good for world peace. I remain to be convinced that a nuclear Isreal in the hands of a ultra consecutive such as Netanyahu is not any different than a nuclear Iran.
