Newswise — As we move closer to electing a new president, voters in the U.S. are forming their decision based on the candidates' stances on education, health care, the economy, energy and many more important issues. But how much will the candidates' experience and expertise with Middle Eastern affairs sway voters? CMU Middle East expert John Robertson is available for commentary on the issue.
Some of Robertson's initial thoughts on the subject:
* "As crisis points pop up, whom of the two candidates do you trust more? McCain is a war hero, with long service on the Foreign Affairs committee, but he also is famous for his hair-trigger temper and rather macho response-mode, and some military brass have called him out on that score, as someone whose temperament is too volatile to be entrusted with presidential responsibility in a wartime atmosphere. Obama, on the other hand, has neither military experience nor significant service in foreign affairs, but he is well-known as someone who prefers to move with more sober judgment and gather input from a variety of perspectives."
* "As far as Iraq is concerned, it remains a cauldron where tensions simmer, ready to be brought to boil very quickly. It is interesting that both candidates now have to deal with the Maliki government's newfound confidence, as it is now demanding a timetable and pretty firm departure date. Neither candidate will do well to pronounce, 'we're staying in Iraq longer, no matter what the Iraqi government wants.'"
SOURCE:John Robertson, historyCentral Michigan University
Robertson is an authority on the history and cultures of the Middle East, from its earliest civilizations to the present. He teaches history courses on Iraq and Iran, as well as the wider Middle East region. His op-eds, published comments and on-air interviews have dealt with Arab-Israeli relations; U.S. and European relations with Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq and Iran; and recent Middle Eastern history and current events.
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