"Ich Bin Ein Berliner"

[p kirkes]

This worked for JFK in l963, boosting morale for West Germany and defying the Soviets.

"Indonesia is part of me" proclaims President Obama in an effort to assuage the Muslim world. Will it Work as well as JFK's speech identifing himself, and by extension the USA, with the Germans? Hope so.

 

[ekrem]

Indonesia lies in the periphery of the Muslim World, it has neither a real connection nor leverage over issues which 'Muslims' concern most. Still, Indonesia will become an important country by its own right, it's simple statistics of population size and growing wealth.

Together with the real challenge, which is lessening of the effects of Chinese rise, I suppose it's good for USA trying to tighten the relationship to Indonesia as Indonesia is in proximity to China.
There is no general rule of insistence on confrontational behavior for these kinds of countries when it comes to China. There are some territorial disputes (sea-disputes), but Chinese rise and prospects for economic-interaction someday will solve these disputes - off course to Chinese terms.
So it's good for USA to step a foot into this theater and tighten relationships before the periphery of China jumps on the Chinese train-wagon.

 

[MelissaD]

Americans have no clue where indonesia is, so no it won't make a difference.

 

[ekrem]

Americans have no clue where indonesia is, so no it won't make a difference.

It is range of islands, South-East from where the US debt is financed.

 

[Truthmatters]

Americans have no clue where indonesia is, so no it won't make a difference.

It is range of islands, South-East from where the US debt is financed.

lol

 

[ekrem]

Indonesia will become a gravity-center for Muslim world, but not in the classic definition of Middle-Eastern dynamics. It's far away from Muslim core-lands, and many Muslims don't know much about Indonesia.
Indonesia is also the most populous Muslim country in the world, with about 13% of world's Muslims living there.


http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_2025/2025_Global_Trends_Final_Report.pdf

Economic Growth Fueling Rise of Emerging Players

China is poised to have more impact on the world over the next 20 years than any other country. If current trends persist, by 2025 China will have the world’s second largest economy and will be a leading military power.
(...)
India probably will continue to enjoy relatively rapid economic growth and will strive for a multipolar world in which New Delhi is one of the poles.
(...)
Russia has the potential to be richer, more powerful, and more self-assured in 2025 if it invests in human capital, expands and diversifies its economy, and integrates with global markets. On the other hand, Russia could experience a significant decline if it fails to take these steps and oil and gas prices remain in the $50-70 per barrel range.
(...)
No other countries are projected to rise to the level of China, India, or Russia, and none is likely to match their individual global clout. We expect, however, to see the political and economic power of other
countries—such as Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey—increase.

It also says Indonesia, Iran and Turkey will shape the patterns of the Muslim world. In case of Iran, when it is run post-clerically.

 

[ekrem]

 

[MelissaD]

ekrem, good luck, most americans couldn't find canada on a map.

 

[L.K.Eder]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww[/ame]

 

[ekrem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

Hehehe, priceless Miss S. Carolina.

 

[Baruch Menachem]

I don't believe 0bama was talking muslim here, I think he was talking third world identity politics. He was talking in terms of indonesia's relations with Holland and colonialism in general.

Thing is, Indonesia has moved on from when he was there. So, for that matter, has Kenya moved on from his sperm donor's point of reference.

0bama is just reiterating that he is still stuck in a past that really never was.