In his first major interview since taking office, pointedly given to the Arab-language network Al-Arabiya, President Barack Obama reached out to the Arab and Muslim world, vowing to forge "a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest." The president reiterated his wish to engage with Iran in a sharp reversal from his predecessor. "It is important to us," he highlighted, "to be willing to talk to Iran." Given Obama's new emphasis on reconciliation in the Middle East and his willingness to speak directly to controversial interlocutors, is the U.S. government hinting it will hold direct talks with Hamas? Until now, Washington continues to designate the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, as a terrorist organization, as do the European Union, Japan and others. Official American policy is not to speak with terrorist groups. But many of the policies that guided the Bush administration are under review, leading some to suggest this long-held approach will also change.
World Citizen: Will Obama Talk to Hamas?
