OK, so Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won鈥檛 have his moment at the UN podium 鈥� at least not this year. But at just about the same time President Obama is addressing the General Assembly Tuesday morning, Mr. Romney will be speaking across Manhattan at the Clinton Global Initiative, former President Bill Clinton鈥檚 international development forum.
Mr. Obama鈥檚 star status at the UN was tarnished last year when, working through the Security Council, he opposed the Palestinians鈥� bid for recognition. This year, expect Obama to laud Myanmar鈥檚 emergence from authoritarian rule and to recognize the 鈥渨ork in progress鈥� that are the countries of the Arab awakening. He鈥檚 likely to remind Syria鈥檚 embattled regime that its time is past, but a cautious president wanting no international surprises before November won鈥檛 be calling for international intervention in Syria鈥檚 civil war. Obama is also likely to remind the world that the window for resolving Iran鈥檚 nuclear challenge peacefully is closing.
A question buzzing around diplomatic circles: Will Obama offer a second take of his 2009 Cairo speech and address the frustrations 鈥� showcased in recent anti-American violence 鈥� that threaten to split Muslim countries from the 21st-century world?
