The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States was indeed a historical event. This coming January, an African American, the son of a Kenyan immigrant, will become the leader of the worlds most powerful country. The election of Obama is proof that the United States remains the land of opportunity. As Obama implied in his victory speech in Chicago, even those who hate the United States will need to bite their tongues and acknowledge this fact.

Amid the wave of optimism for a new dawn that has understandably swept the United States and the wider world following the election victory of President-elect Barack Obama, a far more somber, hard truth has also emerged: Russia is back in the Middle East.

MOSCOW -- Russia is unlikely to get what it wants from Libya. Before Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi came to Moscow, analysts thought he would sign military contracts worth between $2 billion and $4.5 billion with Russia. However, while the Kremlin staff was busy searching for a place to build a Bedouin tent for Gadhafi, the "son of the desert" was thinking about his bargaining tactic in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

A whole new world began Tuesday when Sen. Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election: Expect some big changes in the Middle East, but expect some things to remain remarkably unchanged too.

As long as super powers held the monopoly on nuclear technology the perils associated with nuclear weapons were minimal, despite the Cold War and one or two crises when the nuclear codes were almost activated. But now we are entering a new era of post nuclear exclusivity where non-nation entities are seeking to obtain weapons of mass destruction, not for the purpose of deterrence, but rather with specific intent to cause maximum damage and casualties.

TEL AVIV, Israel -- The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has lingered for 60 years and a practical and pragmatic solution is needed in order to end the suffering on both sides, restore a sense of pride and dignity among Palestinians, reduce radicalism and hatred directed against Israel, and repair the image of the United States in the region.

What the Arab papers said on Sept. 2:

Syrian President Bashar Assad joined Muammar Gadhafi of Libya in backing Russias lightning military action against Georgia, making Syria one of the few countries in the world to publicly back the Kremlin.

Russian Fight for Mideast Peace More Difficult in a Multi-polar World

If only U.S. President George W. Bush had mistaken the Middle East for Africa we might all be a lot happier and more secure.