Adil Najam
Even though much of the U.S. and world media seems to have already decided who will win the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, the fact remains that the elections are determined by votes, not by polls.
Much can happen between now and Tuesday. Including the (re-)discovery that the opinion polling is not an exact science. I doubt if that will be the case, but part of me is now fed-up with the over-polling in this election.
That means that maybe we should do an ATP poll of our own :-)
As has been evidenced in other posts of this blog there are Pakistanis who strongly feel that a President Barack Obama will be be more dangerous for Pakistan than a President John McCain. 
There are also many who think the exact opposite. And as the question in the poll suggest there may also be those who feel that no matter who wins things will get worse or, maybe, will become better for Pakistan.
Without losing sight of the fact that Americans will, and should, elect the President they think is best for America, not for Pakistan - and not withstanding my own expressed view that Pakistani-Americans will also be voting this time on their own domestic policy concerns and not on Pakistan’s foreign policy preferences - one does wonder how a new administrtaion in Washington (now that there is already a new administration in Islamabad) might impact Pakistan.
So, please do tell us what you think. And why.
Personally I was really disappointed in Obama’s comments about Pakistan. But he appears to be an intelligent man and I hope his actions and statesmanship will rise above his campaign rhetoric.
Pakistan would do better to worry more about its own leaders than about the American president. I know this sounds naive given how much America has meddled in Pakistan’s leadership, unwilling to accept any movement towards the left (the U.S. policy towards every country). But surely there must be something better in Pakistan’s future, but how…? Here’s how–
Imagine someone like Obama–an ethnic/racial minority, raised by a single mother, with no personal wealth or political connections–making it to high office in Pakistan. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Maybe on the day this becomes a possibility, Pakistan will get the leaders it needs!
This has been one of the momentous elections in my lifetime, if not in U.S. history. It is both exemplary and inspiring to see Obama make it all the way to the top – by overcoming all sorts of barriers. The symbolism notwithstanding of an African American – the so-called “black” President in the “White” House – it is much more than that. Obama has the mandate from the people to change the status quo. In fact, he was able to organize mass-mobilization because of his promise to change the course.
On the other hand, elections in Pakistan were lackluster and meaningless because the definition of politics is a game – not about deciding issues in government. And one of the reasons why the electorates have apathy of the process is because they know that it is nothing more than a drama. They know that our “sham elections” would be a continuation of more of the same. Pakistan’s electoral system is so corrupted and unfair that for the hugely unpopular ‘lota’ politicians rigging the elections in a big way are the only way to maintain their seats.
Until, we have either the leaders or the masses that will revolt against forces that treat us as their serfs. Until than our elections will be less an exercise of our rights or of democratic governance and more of a surrender of sovereignty. Education is indeed a prerequisite to enable our masses to come out of the darkness and ignorance. It is going to be a tedious process because we have not prepared our citizenry with even the basic concepts and skills necessary to become informed voters. The cure is obvious, alas; we haven’t reached the point where the bitter pill can be taken – the complete overhaul of the SYSTEM!
American foreign policy is always about geo-political self-interests of Uncle Sam. With President Obama, the issues of Pakistan-Afghanistan or Palestine-Israel would be gung-ho. And these kinds of approaches have the tendencies to usually exacerbate the crisis.
Republicans love to supported military dictators in Pakistan whereas Democrtic party love to scre w the democratic political governments in Pakistan. So for Pakistan it has always been a loose-loose situation. Lets see if Obama can bring some real “change” as far as Pakistan is concerned. But I am sure of two things: one that there would be a far greater pressure on Pakistan vis a vis the Nuclear proliferation issue and secondly the entire focus of war against terror would rest on the region straddling the Durand line.
Obama’s recent statements about Strikes within Pakistan were perhaps largely election campaign posturing. On the other hand his statement linking the unresolved Kashmir issue to the rise of extremism in nuclear south asia points towards a possible paradigm shift in the south asian geopolitics.
But in the end all will depend upon how quickly we can put our own house in order.
Khuda nay aaj tuk uss qum ka pamper nahee badla,
na ho jis ko khial aap aapnay pamper kay badulnay ka
US should now realize how blindly he attcked Iraq for super ficial WMDs killing 700,000 innocents there without gaining anything. Same goes for Afghanistan where prime hunt was Al-Qaeda and there supporters Talibans but again same massive carpet bombaring as a result now all of Pukhtoons factions are united against US + NATO and now US and NATO are secretly dealing with moderate Talibans via Riyadh Connections ! Atlast US have to see what Alexander, Ranjeet, British and Red Bear saw , its thier 3000 years history !
Regarding Pakistan, drones are killing some civilians also alongwith terrorists as they use it as a human shield, while US marines entering Pakistan territory is a just like a Alice wonderland’dream. Kiyani already have sent a red signal to Pentagon and above all 650,000 nuclear armed persoanls are not sitting with bangles in hands !
Dr. Najam, you were great on the marathon Geo TV transmission today. Was amazed at how you were leading the show for nearly 6 hours straight without seeming tired. Also, a great panel with you, especially Mushahid Hussain. I think you all raised some very powerful straight talk about what this means for Pakistan specially what you kept saying that it will depend also on what Pakistan does not just what Obama does.
Americans have once again shown to the world why they are a great nation.While we all copy any thing that comes out of this great country somehow we have failed to copy it for its principles of democracy and individual freedom.It had deviated from these principles in the last eight years and Americans have voted for a change;a change to revert back to its original image.I am sure this will receive top attention from the new administration.The entire pre election environment in a hard fought two years of campaigning has culminated in the most civil and honorable fashion unlike in countries like Pakistan.Once we learn to copy this aspect of politics we would succeed.We need a change too and we need to change too.
It took the USA almost 300 years to get a President like OBAMA!
We, need 50-odd years, however & in the time being have to make do with the likes of ZARDARI & Company!
I would echo the comments made earlier: Pakistanis should look within our borders for what’s good for Pakistan. Even if the rest of the world somehow adopts an extremely favorable attitude towards us (don’t hold your breath), it won’t make a difference unless our OWN political system takes charge.
Personally, I am hopeful that an Obama administration will bring, if not sensitivity to our country’s sufferings, strategic vision for America’s own success, which has been sorely missing during the past eight years.