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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
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Gaza Strikes Push Clinton, Obama to Mend Fences

World waiting to see how former rivals react to latest crisis

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(Newser) – Hillary Clinton criticized Barack Obama’s world affairs know-how in the primaries, but now the two are poised to join forces on their first foreign policy test, Tony Allen-Mills writes in the Times of London. Israel’s air offensive in Gaza undid months of negotiations to kick-start a peace process, forcing Obama to start from square one—and Clinton to likely pick up negotiations where her husband left off.

Arab nations approve of the president-elect, even though he’s pro-Israel. Leaders are less sure of Hillary Clinton, who as first lady sympathized with Palestinian refugees but became more hawkish after becoming New York’s junior senator. So far, neither she nor Obama is taking a public stand. Like most of the world, they are reduced to "watching images of Palestinian destruction play out on television."

The Israeli attacks presented Barack Obama, America's next president, and Hillary Clinton, his incoming secretary of state, with their first serious foreign policy test.
The Israeli attacks presented Barack Obama, America's next president, and Hillary Clinton, his incoming secretary of state, with their first serious foreign policy test.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Barack Obama's decision to appoint his former rival as secretary of state sent shockwaves through the Middle East. Israelis and Palestinians tried to decipher their often conflicting statements.
Barack Obama's decision to appoint his former rival as secretary of state sent shockwaves through the Middle East. Israelis and Palestinians tried to decipher their often conflicting statements.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
Bill Clinton's parting advice to Colin Powell, who took over the State Department under President George W Bush, was
Bill Clinton's parting advice to Colin Powell, who took over the State Department under President George W Bush, was "you ever trust that son of a bitch."   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Governments across the Middle East will be scrutinizing Obama's every response for indications of his approach to the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Governments across the Middle East will be scrutinizing Obama's every response for indications of his approach to the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.   (AP Photo/ GPO,Moshe Milner, HO,File)
Barack Obama gestures for time Hillary clinton responds to a question during a Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles, January 31, 2008.
Barack Obama gestures for time Hillary clinton responds to a question during a Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles, January 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson/FILE)
Barack Obama laughs with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at a campaign event in Unity, N.H., June 27, 2008.
Barack Obama laughs with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton at a campaign event in Unity, N.H., June 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola/FILE)
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If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing. - President-elect Barack Obama

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justme
Dec 29, 08 6:19 PM CST
Arab nations approve of Barack because his campaign retoric was very anti-war. He appeared as weak as most of Europe. I'm betting that they are wrong. His choice of Clinton signals strength and resolve (sort of like Bush but with, I hope, more forethought and willingness to adapt. Reply
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