The Obama dividend
| C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S |
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| Jonathan De la Cruz |
Talk is rife about a so-called Obama dividend just a day or two after the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Variously defined as a slowing down of high profile terrorist attacks, a redirection of intelligence gathering and funding as well as a redefinition of the engagement between so-called target states such as the United States and sponsor states such as Iran and Libya or a combination thereof, the Obama dividend is supposed to usher in a more peaceful and stable world. The “dividend” buzz is especially high pitched in the US and other countries under constant terrorist threat such as the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Spain and even Indonesia, Russia and a number of Middle East states which were attacked or targeted by al-Qaeda operatives and affiliates since the 9/11 attack which triggered the US-led “war on terror.” With Bin Laden’s death, the observation goes, the inspiration not to mention funding for high profile attacks will now slow down if not altogether disappear as the Bin Laden Inspired groups including their sponsors will now have to reassess their position. In addition, American policy makers on both sides of the aisle were also talking about a more thorough review of US engagement in Pakistan and Afghanistan which are considered the main battle grounds on the war on terror with a view toward reducing the presence of US combat troops and, of course, the multi-billion funding for their cooperative endeavors. Whether these expected dividends, as it were, will come to fore remains to be seen. Suffice it say that for now this so-called Obama dividend has definitely re-energized the American people if we go by the euphoric reception of President Obama’s announcement of Bin Laden’s death and the zest infused into the US economy as evidenced by the surge in US stocks and the US dollar.
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Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110506com4.html
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