Wow! What a speech! This is actually the first time to my recollection that a Western leader has come to Turkey and expressed interest and appreciation for Turkish culture and history as well as current issues. If people had doubts about Obama’s diplomatic endeavours, he has already done a whole lot more than ‘W’ did in his 8 years…

Yep, usually the Europeans come, strut about in their Louis 14th gait, look down and talk down, get wined, dined and then leave… Nor have I ever heard one of these other leaders live up to the shortcomings of their own nation – that takes real strength and courage to do. Nope, the others adorn their bejeweled cloak of ideals, and then are blinded by them.

Obama has shown us what global politics truly looks like. What a contrast to the tired old refrain of Sarkozy for example, “That the Turks are so culturally different… European Union … blah, blah, blah.” Well… Duh, Sarkozy, every culture except your own will be different than yours!

Obama has shown that in today’s globalising world, the tired old refrains from the past do not lead anywhere constructive. But is it fair to compare say Obama and Sarkozy – one a statesman, the other coasting along by virtue of the existing institutions – but without any deep insight into multi-culturalism, and the political challenges that globalisation is bringing. Probably not.

Obama is in a completely different league of politician and statesman.