On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America and this marked a historical milestone. However, as I was thinking through his last visit to Kenya, in July 23, 2015, I reflected on many memorable instances this man has inspired the world. Human beings remember others when they are no longer with us or in office. However, because of what he has achieved as president, I wish to record some instances that come to mind in my admiration of him.
First on June 4, 2009 when he addressed the question of United States and Muslim relations at Cairo University on renewed Middle East talks, what he said was a profound lesson not only to Kenya but to the world as well. Our relationship must not be defined by our differences, he stated. The more I replay the speech, the more I think the world needs to ponder the sincerity and coverage of this man’s vision for world peace and prosperity.
When on December 10, 2009, President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, many people wondered what he had done to deserve the prize after hardly a year into office. In hindsight, the committee must have taken a mental flight and seen the wisdom in Obama which today is manifestly clear given what he has done over the last six years plus of his presidency.
Obama took office against the backdrop of the worst financial crisis America had gone through since the Great Depression of 1928/29. Lehman Brothers, a 158-year-old financial giant, had collapsed; JP Morgan, Merill Lynch, Citi Bank, Bank of America, Boston Corporation were all facing financial distress; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae mortgage corporations had been taken over by the federal government and placed under conservatory by US Treasury, while America International Group (Aig) had to be bailed out by US Treasury to the tune of US $185 billion. The US real estate sector had evolved into a huge pyramid scheme in the name of subprime mortgages where anyone, irrespective of their financial abilities, could access a mortgage.
This led to the near collapse of the entire financial services sector, but for the intervention of the US government.
The Obama administration had to confront this crisis by developing legislative and regulatory frameworks to recreate some order. Today the American economy has turned around, is strong with the lowest unemployment in history, making America globally respected. The credit goes to President Obama.
Obama has had to deal with other challenges such as bringing to an end the war in Iraq that should never have been started in the first place, and right now winding down the war in Afghanistan. It was under his watch that the most infamous terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, was captured and eliminated.
Other historical achievements include the ObamaCare, the Affordable Care Act healthcare reform law that expands and improves access to care and curbs spending through regulations and taxes for the benefit of the most vulnerable Americans. This has been an agenda that has been pursued unsuccessfully by virtually every president and democrats going back to 1960s. It is only through Obama’s tenacity and persuasive abilities that legislation passed in congress.
In October 1962, Cuban crisis nearly sparked nuclear war between US and the then Soviet Union, but for the wisdom of President John F Kennedy. Cuba, an island 90 miles from Florida, has had no diplomatic relations with the Washington. None of the past presidents had the courage to decide that the policy of isolation against Cuba had not succeeded in bringing the Cuban government to its knees despite being in place for 50 years. Today, Obama has re-established US and Cuba diplomatic relations, despite the opposition by the dogmatic Republican leadership.
Since the 1979 overthrow of Shah of Iran, through a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini, the relationship between the US and Iran has been at its worst. However, through protracted and difficult negotiations between P5+1, that is Russia, China, Britain, France, European Union and the United States of America, a deal has been achieved which will ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon.
However, the agreement provides for Iran to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. President Obama has got approval of congress for the deal which is a major victory with positive global implications. It will change the dynamics of the Middle East and despite the opposition by Israel and its allies in US congress, the deal has the potential of bringing peace to this very troubled part of the world. When history is written, Obama will be credited for having, not only lowered potential global conflicts, but more importantly his ability to use the US’s soft power in pursuit of world peace.
