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Trump reviving the American dream
Americans have elected Donald Trump their next President
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mericans have elected Donald Trump their next President. The campaign process was tough even during the primaries, as candidates of the same party competed against each other. It became tougher when Trump and Hillary Clinton were nominated to represent their respective parties for the final election process.
The unexpected became a reality, and Trump, who was criticized over rhetoric he used during the campaign, won the election.
Among the most contentious things that people found disturbing during his campaign were his statements about Muslims and Islam. Such statements are not appropriate under any circumstances.
However, a very recent statement of Trump’s after the election was quite pleasing. He blamed the mainstream media in the US for creating fear among Muslims in his country.
It is important for him to correct his erroneous remarks, and I hope he will continue to do so once he starts his official duty. What I believe is that Trump is not against Islam, but against bigotry. It is fair for him to fear a bigoted mindset, because according to radicals, there is no right to life for non-Muslims.
This false belief system, which has no place in the Quran, is against not only non-Muslims but also those promoting women’s rights, art, beauty, love or science. Therefore, it is crucial to present to him and the American people the accurate Islam in the Quran.
It would be excellent if he assigned a Muslim advisor to inform him about the beauty of Islam and to show how divorced the radicals are from the Quranic values. I am certain that this would have a very positive influence on the new US administration.
Furthermore, the Muslim world will be very appreciative if Trump emphasizes that what he actually opposes is not Islam itself, but the violence and terrorism perpetrated in the name Islam.
It is also worth mentioning the message of unity he conveyed in his acceptance speech, and the fact that he worked with people from different ethnic backgrounds and of different faiths.
Most US analysts believe the primary reason behind the election result was people’s accumulated frustration with the establishment in the US and their desire to change the status quo.
The American people are wondering why the US is involved in so many conflicts and is continuously establishing military bases abroad instead of dealing with internal affairs. Middle East nations are also not pleased with US military operations in the region. Had Clinton been elected, then the US policy would most likely continue to be hawkish, and military action would very likely escalate.
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Good US relations with Russia, Turkey and Islamic countries will bring new enthusiasm to act on the side of peace.
It seems that Trump will adopt the opposite policy; he criticized the current administration for spending US$6 trillion on wars in the Middle East, with which, he said, they could have rebuilt America twice. He also added that hundreds of thousands of lives were lost on both sides.
When we go back to Trump’s acceptance speech, we see a president who would like to enjoy good relations with foreign countries and who prefers to be good to them. This brings to mind relations with Russia.
It is quite a surprise to have an American president-elect willing to have good relations with Putin and Russia. This is a good opportunity both countries can benefit from; for example, sanctions against Russia imposed by the US and the EU may be lifted, since they exacerbate the economies of all states involved.
The US-Russian alliance in the Middle East would help solve the crisis in Syria and Iraq. Not only with Russia, but having close ties also with Turkey and Iran would be essential to make things right in the region.
Turkish President Erdogan and Prime Minister Yildirim congratulated Trump on winning the election and presented their desire to improve their relations, which have been very tense lately.
The primary cause of disturbance has been the US administration’s military support of the PYD in Syria, which is affiliated with the terrorist organization PKK.
Another important factor is the current administration’s ignoring Turkey’s request for the extradition of Gulen, whom Turkey holds responsible for the July 15 coup attempt.
Top Turkish officials believe they will mend the broken ties with the US, and Trump will be more willing to listen to Turkey’s requests. Trump’s positive stance on President Erdogan’s invitation to Turkey is an important development.
On the other hand, Iran, another key player in the region, is having some doubts regarding how Trump may act in office vis-à-vis the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
He was not in favor of this nuclear agreement during his campaign, but has changed his tone after he won, stating he would only renegotiate the agreement. Additionally, former New York mayor and Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani confirmed that Trump plans to keep the contract.
Besides, abrogating this contract would not benefit the US, either, since it may spark an anti-American reaction in Iran.
Iranians should also be at ease as the EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, told CNN on Nov. 9 that the JCPOA “is not a bilateral agreement between the US and Iran. […] It’s a multilateral agreement that we have negotiated […] enframed into a UN Security Council resolution, actually more than one”.
Good US relations with Russia, Turkey and Islamic countries will bring new enthusiasm to act on the side of peace.
Hopefully, Trump’s presidency will help him re-build the religious America with the idea of reviving the American dream that Americans have been longing for.
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The writer has authored books on politics, religion and science.
