http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....lead-by-example.html

Barack Obama says US must lead by example

President Barack Obama has stated that the United States should not lecture other countries on good governance, arguing
that it should lead by example to encourage the development of "universal principles"

Quoted from Libertarian4life

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....lead-by-example.html

2009
Barack Obama says US must lead by example

President Barack Obama has stated that the United States should not lecture other countries on good governance, arguing
that it should lead by example to encourage the development of "universal principles"

2011
"Obama says government will lead by example"

http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2011/03/obama_says_government_will_lea.html







November 08, 2012
"To gain the world’s respect, the U.S. under Obama must lead by example on a range of issues, and abandon the
destructiveness that has characterized many of its policies in recent decades,"

The Daily Star

In delivering a speech to celebrate his re-election victory U.S. President Barack Obama said he has never been more hopeful about his country’s future.

When Obama achieved his historic election to the White House in 2008 his watchword was hope and change. In fact, he has promised many things, but accomplished little of substance.

Nonetheless, Obama was lucky to receive a second chance Tuesday from the American people, and it’s now time for him to prove that he means business – or else appear as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” as the infamous Julian Assange put it.

His first task is a domestic one, namely forging political compromises in Washington so the U.S. can overcome momentous economic challenges. But he will quickly find himself focusing on foreign policy due to the interconnected nature of the global economy, and the repercussions for global security that come from several tense parts of the world.

In the Middle East, Obama’s re-election brought a sense of relief – not because he is a universally respected or liked figure, but because many considered him the lesser of two evils. This is one challenge, namely dispelling the notion that he is merely a slightly better option than Mitt Romney.

Obama should review his earlier promises that concern the Arab world, and the high-profile visits he made to countries such as Turkey and Egypt during his first term in office. He promised much when it came to the thorny issues of the Middle East, but ended up citing lofty goals much more than actually working to achieve change.

On the Palestine issue, there is hope that things can only improve due to the poor chemistry between Obama and Israeli premier Binyamin Netanyahu, and the fact that the U.S. president is now relieved of the pressure of a re-election campaign.

Iran is another major policy issue for the U.S. and its partners, as well as the international community. Obama is a believer in the sanctions approach, and multilateralism, but a viable Plan B must be in place in case these policies fail to achieve results.

The eruption of popular uprisings in Arab states is naturally the most significant development during Obama’s first term and the region is still waiting for Washington to produce a coherent, positive approach to this policy area.

The crisis in Syria is the most critical hot-spot in the region and up to now, Obama has largely limited his actions to repeating the mantra that President Bashar Assad’s days in power are numbered.

In fact, Obama’s days in office are also numbered: as in four times 365 days. An incumbent president does not have the excuse of assembling a transition team to delay formulating a policy – the region is awaiting a signal as to which policy the White House intends to pursue when it comes to Syria’s regime.

To gain the world’s respect, the U.S. under Obama must lead by example on a range of issues, and abandon the destructiveness that has characterized many of its policies in recent decades, whether this involves the environment, global peace or rights.

Translating rhetoric into tangible policies and results should begin immediately, or else the Middle East and the rest of the world will be in for another four years of hopeful rhetoric being far from the painful reality.

          
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on November 08, 2012, on page 7.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2012/Nov-08/194320-a-different-tack.ashx#ixzz2FdQlySxS
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

07/02/09
Obama On Middle East Trip: US Must Lead By Example,

Be "Honest" With Israel

Huffington Post   First Posted: 07/02/09 06:12 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 02:25 PM ET


In an interview with the BBC's Justin Webb, President Obama discussed his upcoming trip to the Middle East, which will include a much-anticipated speech in Cairo, Egypt.

Obama pledges in the interview that he will not try to impose American values on other countries. However, he also notes that certain values, such as "democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion" are universal, and thus fair game for other world leaders to be "encouraged" to uphold.


In another interview, this one with NPR's All Things Considered host Michele Norris, Obama discussed the US approach to Israel. Obama says he believes a two-state solution is the only viable option, but that doesn't mean "we have to change strong support for Israel." From NPR:

    The president also suggested that the United States' special relationship with Israel requires some tough love. "Part of being a good friend is being honest," Obama said. "And I think there have been times where we are not as honest as we should be about the fact that the current direction, the current trajectory, in the region is profoundly negative, not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests. And that's part of a new dialogue that I'd like to see encouraged in the region."