The Foreign Service Journal, September 2008

on terrorism to the degree that Bush has, or favor sending more troops outside the U.S. into new conflicts. Unlike other experts, howev- er, Dr. Shadi does not think a Pres. Obama would move quick- ly to resolve the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. Instead, he will first give himself some time to master this complex issue and articulate a new vision. In contrast, a Pres. McCain would continue to pursue the neoconservative policy mapped out during the two terms of the Bush adminis- tration. Hazem Ahmed Gheith, a political science student at Cairo University who does not belong to any party, also does not foresee any major change in U.S. policy under either Obama or McCain. He cites Obama’s recent speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in which he explicitly supported the existence of Israel, backed the continuation of efforts to isolate the Hamas movement and called for reforms in the Palestinian Authority. If McCain is elected, Gheith expects his administration to rep- resent an effective third term for George W. Bush. But he believes some aspects will be different in light of the senator’s willingness to work with the Democrats on certain issues. Whatever the outcome in November, most Egyptians do not expect any major changes in bilateral relations or in the image of the United States. They remain hopeful that the atmosphere will improve, particularly if Barack Obama is the victor. But they are beginning to recognize the need to foster closer ties to American institutions like Congress to defend their interests. n F O C U S 28 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 The Bush administration has not been responsive to the need to promote solid ties with Cairo over the past seven years.