Adil Najam
By now everyone has probably seen and commented already on U.S. President Barack Obama’s interview with Dawn’s Anwar Iqbal. But I thought this ‘uncut’ version of the interview is actually more interesting than the edited version (or clips) that we have seen.It tells us much more about how he personally feels about Pakistan – something that we had written about in depth here at ATP during his campaign.
I have known Anwar Iqbal ever since I was in high school (9th grade) in Islamabad and would sometimes write on sports (especially cricket statistics) and occasional ‘City Diaries’ for The Muslim and Anwar was a reporter on the city desk working with the legandary Ahmad Hassan saab (in many ways this blog’s design is an outgrowth of those City Diaries). He – and cartoonist Fieca, photographer B.K. Bangash, and later editors Mushahid Hussain and Maleeha Lodhi – were amongst the many at The Muslim who were immensely kind to me (then a schoolboy). I say all of this because Anwar is a dear friend and it was good to see him nab this interview.
Of course, most of us have also seen Jon Stewart’s funny take on the interview and of President Obama’s interst in Urdu and Pakistan. That, after all, is what Jon Stewart does and does better than anyone else, so one cannot fault the funny man for being funny.
There is much that I would have like President Obama to do (on Pakistan) that he has not done. I hope he eventually will. There is even more that I wish he would not do and stop doing (e.g., drone attacks). I hope he will soon stop. Frankly, I would much rather have someone in the White House who has a genuine affection for Pakistan, than someone who does not. I am not naieve enough to believe that personal affection will immediately translate to better policy. But it is much more likely to eventually do so thana lack of such affection!
I remember reading THE MUSLIM as a kid in Islamabad. It was a good paper, too bad it closed down. It produced some great writers.
Thanks for putting this up. I had wanted to see this. And the uncut version is good. Good performance by interviewee as well as interviewee.
Great videos. So glad you put this up.
I think it was a great interview.
I had long been looking for this interview as it was earlier published in dawn. Obama has wonderful skill of connecting with the people regardless of their creed, nationality and ideology. I feel he is honest, sincere and pragmatic.
For Pakistan, he of course has affinity and association. This connection needs to be responded from our side at the same level, but I doubt the ability and skills of our leadership.
Its great to see Obama exclusively talking about our Pakistan. Thanks Adil for this treat.
Obama is the President of America and he can only and will only act in US interest. THAT IS HIS JOB and THAT IS WHAT HE SHOUDL DO.
But I do think he actually truly likes Pakistan and if we step up to the plate he will meet us more than half way as a friend. I have high hopes for him.