On January 26, President Obama sat for his first TV interview as the President of the United States of America and he chose an Arabic news channel—Al Arabiya—as his venue. Based in Dubai, the network predicted the interview could reach as many as 23 million viewers in the Gulf. One cannot miss the significance of the new President’s choice. Not only is he building a bridge between American and Middle Eastern societies, but he intends for the Muslim world to hear and be a part of his message. In his interview, President Obama appeared to understand the value of communication and diplomacy in foreign relations; the message itself underscores the importance of the relationship he strives to foster.

Although President Obama did not set forth any specific policies with his first interview, he successfully set the tone of his agenda. Ideas of peace, partnership, and respect filled his message. He urged the public to look beyond religion and share the hopes and dreams common to all mankind. Without telling the Israelis or Palestinians what is best for them, he stated that his Administration plans to engage and work with the Middle East to achieve stability. He also underscored the necessity of viewing the region as a whole rather than focusing on the Arab-Israeli conflict. President Obama expressed that he hopes to create a “new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest.” At the heart of this message is the issue of security, for both the Middle East and the United States. It is clear that President Obama understands Middle Eastern stability is not only in the interest of the region itself but also the United States.