BY DERYA SAZAK
MILLIYET- President-elect Barack Obama is taking a vacation in Hawaii, and US President George W. Bush is in Texas. Meanwhile, Israel is attacking Gaza. This drive to stop Hamas' missile attacks is bringing an end to hopes for the peace in the Mideast. Two thousand years of hostility are leading to a great humanitarian tragedy at the end of 2008. More than 300 civilians have died from Israel's attacks. Beirut saw a similar slaughter two years ago in because of Hezbollah attacks.
Israel's attacks, while bolstering Iran's assertion that its military can take a 'balancing role,' have put Obama, who will take over the presidency on Jan. 20, in a difficult position.
Before his election, Obama returned from a visit to Middle East hopeful of achieving peace there.
Middle East peace was the most ambitious project of the Bush administration, but like Iraq, it is delivering the Palestinian-Israeli issue in ruins.
Bush was a product of a 'war project.' The Sept. 11 attacks enabled his administration to try to implement its Greater Middle East Initiative. But it failed to complete the Iraq invasion's legs in Syria and Iran.
A military push to eliminate Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program somehow hasn't materialized.
On the other hand, Obama is coming into power by a push for peace opposing Bush's policies. His popularity is sky high. He reassures people, as he speaks the language of the man on the street, pledges to prioritize social and economic policy, direct resources to investment instead of wars and armament, and create new jobs for 3 million people.
But the system is testing Obama!
The war is exploding before the emperor can even be crowned.
If Obama, who won the election with a slogan of change, really intends to change the US, he should oppose the tragedy in Gaza.
We want to welcome 2009 with hope.