大象传媒

Can John McCain, left, or Barack Obama change US relations with world?

Which of the two US presidential candidates do people around the world believe can bring the biggest change to their world: Democratic nominee Barack Obama with his message of change? Or Republican war veteran John McCain?

Readers from the 大象传媒's language sites have been discussing how the results could change their perception of the US.

Read a selection of comments from around the world:

Comments from 大象传媒 Mundo (Latin America)
Comments from 大象传媒 Chinese
Comments from 大象传媒 Urdu
Comments from 大象传媒 Hindi
Comments from 大象传媒 Persian
Comments from 大象传媒 Russian
Comments from 大象传媒 Arabic

From 大象传媒 Mundo

A Democratic victory would be beneficial for our country, as we have many Dominicans living in the United States, who have seen their profits dwindle due to poor Republican policies. Consequently, they have seen their immigrant remittances reduced considerably. It would be masochistic to have yet again another Republican. They only think of creating wars and conflicts on a worldwide scale, just to benefit a small minority and also make immigration promises which they have yet to keep. Tell me who were the first to put obstacles denying entry into their country?
Luis, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

There won't be any change. Everything will remain the same or perhaps get worse. Obama and McCain will say what their people want to hear. It's the same demagoguery which keeps Latin America in ruins.
David, Geneva, Switzerland

McCain represents experience, a tough stance on international politics and free trade. Obama has good intentions, but no experience. His long term promises are not sound. Concerning Bolivia (which is where I am from) McCain will put Chavez (President of Venezuela) in his place and will weaken his influence in Latin America. McCain will be a tough nut for Arabs, Russians, Chinese and Europeans to crack. Whilst Obama will be easier because, whilst trying to make a good impression abroad, he will forget the US's international role just so that he can fix social security, education and health back home. The USA represents freedom, opportunity, fulfilment, strength, class inequality, racism and power. All that won't change in November, we can only do this through education.
Jos茅 Fern谩ndez, Boston, USA (Bolivian in the US)

I think that if Obama wins the US presidency, we may be able to reach an understanding with other countries, like those in Latin America. Also, we would not be coming up against a new and powerful country, because the policies of "invasion", such as the case of Iraq, would be abandoned. Also, conflicts like Georgia-Russia would not happen, as they are mainly provoked by the US. I have hope for change with Obama, also with respect to Cuba. That's what I hope.
Ignacio, La Plata, Argentina

Looking back into the recent past, I see the tiny figure of Aznar standing between Blair and Bush in the Azores and see the consequences it had on Spain when it entered that "ideological friendship" concerning the war in Iraq. If McCain wins in the US, relations will worsen with our left-wing government. They have incompatible views. If Obama wins, it would strengthen bonds which are currently very weak. I think this would apply to almost all of Europe. If we use our logic, it would be better with Obama, but if he wins, will they allow him to apply any progressive policies? The Americans are antiquated, imperialistic and need wars in order to survive. Their history speaks for itself.
Camino, Madrid, Spain

I can see clearly now. These elections will be won by John McCain, and with a difference that no one can foresee. It's the most ingenious idea to chose a young woman, although conservative, who's an enterprising mother (Key factor: Women's rights), who's got a son going to Iraq (Key factor: Patriotism) and who's got a newly born son with Down's syndrome (Key factor: Anti-abortion). She totally represents McCain's political agenda!
Juan, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Obama has chosen an older senator as his vice presidential candidate to project an image of experience which he lacks. McCain has chosen as his vice presidential candidate a young governor to project an image of youth which he lacks. More of the same.
Dar铆o Valero, a Venezuelan in Spain

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From 大象传媒 Chinese

From a long term point of view view in China, it would be better if Obama won the US election. Whoever is elected, my opinion about America will not change: America is a free, fair, democratic country in which people are the masters of their own destiny.
Xia Bo, Tianjin

I generally prefer Obama, as he better meets modern society's expectations of what makes a good politician and reflects society's wishes: this is what younger people want. His ability to govern is not the most important thing: lack of experience will not be an obstacle as he can rely on able advisors. Obama has already chosen an older and more experienced politician to be his deputy. Today's society requires someone with the physical stamina of Obama. Furthermore, Obama and the Democrats' attitude towards China is encouraging. We can all remember that Sino-US relations were very good when Clinton was president. Even though there were problems in the relationship, they were always resolved quickly through negotiation. President Clinton also raised sensitive issues such as human rights and freedom with Chinese leaders in a friendly way. I believe that a Democrat government will be able to resolve many complex domestic and international problems - especially problems in Sino-US relations.
Zhao Xq, China

I hope that America can have a black president. If this happens, it will show that Americans are truly democratic, civilized and lovable.
Wenrou Dunhou, China

I like McCain because he is a war hero and he represents the conservative wing. As a conservative he will deal with Sino-US relations more rationally. Bush's departure will not make a great difference to Sino-US relations. America's policies are not really decided by one person, but are the result of the bargaining of major interest groups. I prefer ordinary Americans to the so-called American elite. So I won't change my view of America, which I see as greedy, aggressive and hypocritical.
Zhu Yu, Shenyang

Whoever is elected, it won't make any fundamental difference to America's China policy. Over the last few years America's policy towards China has been very clear: to contain China militarily, to limit China's economic development and to demonise China politically. At the same time America uses China as a pawn in the game of solving its own international problems. It uses China's economy as a crutch to prop up its own economy. These policies are unlikely to change within the foreseeable future. The realities of Russia show that even if China was to bring about western-style democratic reform, it would still be perceived as a threat by America. Americans believe that there are no long-term friends or enemies; there are only long-term interests. So it is obvious that China's political, economic and military development will always be a threat to America's position in the world. So as long as China seeks resurgence it cannot become a true friend of America.
Zhang Mu, Shenyang

I hope that McCain can win the US elections, because he won't change America's strong stand against autocratic dictatorships like China. MGMXXX, Shanghai

Whether it is Obama or McCain are elected, we just hope that they can be kinder to China. Of course China has its problems and some aspects of China may be unacceptable to the West. But this is just the reality of China. All development takes time. Reform in a big country has to proceed steadily and cautiously.
Wujizhang, Guangdong

I hope that the next American administration will continue to pay attention to the issues of China's democracy, minorities, human rights and livelihoods.
Minzhong, China

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From 大象传媒 Urdu

I think White House's next occupant will be John McCain, but I hope and pray that Obama will win. His victory will be good for Pakistan and for the world.
Owais Mughal, UAE

Obama's victory is certain. But if the right wing conservative element of the Republican party succeeds in drumming up the politics of fear, and invade yet another country (this could also happen as a result of yet another foolish ill-inspired Taliban action), then it maybe possible to incite the American people in the name of religion and security and blackmail their way into power. Obama is a charismatic and intelligent leader. But its also true that he is faced with a unique set of challenges. It imperative for America and the world that he proves himself up to this challenge.
A Waheed, USA

I pray that Obama loses this election. His statements about launching attacks on Pakistani soil are already giving me sleepless nights.
Dimple, Pakistan

Some people seem to associate Obama's 'Muslim-sounding-name' with all sorts of things and thats why want him to win. But the truth is that he's not a Muslim and its very unlikely that he will be the next President of the United States. Actually even the Democratic Party has been duped this time. If Hillary had won the Democratic nomination, then the Presidency would surely be theirs. Obama's victory on the wave of a pro-Obama media wave had made sure that that wont happen. The Democrats have as good as handed over the Presidency to John McCain.
Safraz, Paris

While this topic is very interesting, I must say Pakistanis are more occupied right now with their own Presidential elections. As far as the American election is concerned, its important to remember that America only looks out for its own interests. It doesn't matter who comes into power. American policy is based on bullying weaker nations to best serve their own interests.
Nadeem, UK

Its not really going to make any difference to Pakistan. No matter who wins, everything is going to remain the same. American policies never really change.
Abid Aziz, London

The new president of USA should be McCain because he is more experienced than Obama. He has served in the Vietnamese War and he has a diplomatic mind too. Only he can be a President who can lead USA in these ciritical times. If unfortunately Obama is elected President of USA it would be unfortunate because he is still young he does not have the experience that McCain has.
Ali Akbar, Dadu, Pakistan

I just want to say whoever wins their polices will be the same. Only the faces of are going to change. I recall history and while Bill Clinton started war in Afghanistan, Bush took it further. Now if Bush started the policy of trying to destabalize Pakistan, it remains to be seen whether Obama or McCain will do anything different because American policy is prepared in other cabinets and implemented through Washingon.
M Farooq Saeed, Jubail

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I can see McCain winning and that would be really good for India. India is so close to a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the Republican administration, if he is elected India wouldn't have to start from scratch on nuclear deal. It is also possible that foreign minister Condolezza Rice would be part of the administration, the young Indian politician Bobby Jindal is also likely to get some important position in McCain cabinet. It was the Democrats who put sanctions on India after the nuclear test.
Brajendra Vats, Muradabad

Obama is now the official candidate; if he wins it would be good for India. India should focus more on its own foreign policy than American elections. Doesn't matter who becomes the President, he will have to take care of India's interests.
Rajeev Ranjan, Varanasi

India and Pakistan are great countries, great democracies, absolutely free and follow their constitutions. In both the countries other cultures and religions are respected. For India the US is a very important partner because it has so much common with India. Obama is more liberal and democratic than McCain. He will support India's candidature for the permanent seat in the UN Security Council. I support Obama.
Dilip Kumar Chitnis, Oslo, Norway

Whoever wins it doesn't matter much for India, it will have to be seen who helps India in extinguishing the fire of terrorism. Terror attacks on India are getting worse, how the US helps India against terrorists is most important. India has been a partner of the US for long time but US still gives more importance to China, India will have to become strong then it wouldn't matter who the President is.
Shahbaz Ahmed, UP, India

The arrogance of George Bush was a big problem for the world; I do not think anybody would like to see another arrogant Republican President. Obama would be better for India, it looks like that he is a real democrat who would talk to other countries and the UN before any big action. It looks like confrontation would not be the main element of his foreign policy. I wish all the best to Obama.
Himmat Singh Bhati, Jodhpur

This question comes up whenever there is a Presidential election in the US. I do not think it matters much because whoever comes will keep American interests on top. American presidents have never cared about the rest of the world and the new one is not going to be an exception. Bush and Clinton both gave India some importance at the end of their presidency but that had more to do with their interests than India's. I do not think that something would change drastically.
Manzoor Islam, Dubai

I have not seen any big difference in Republican and Democratic policies. Both the parties are supporters of capitalist imperialism. India shouldn't become too obsessed with the US. India should work hard to become fully independent and self reliant. India is a big force in itself. Still Obama is better because he seems to be more liberal and comes from black minority background.
Laxmikant Mani, UP, India

India should not bother much because no President can afford to ignore India anymore, as it is one of the biggest emerging markets. I think Obama would be better but India should not expect any help from the US. Good relations are equally important for the US as it is for India.
Kaisar Hayat, Muscat

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From 大象传媒 Persian

US Democrats have always preferred the interests of Israel to those of America. Therefore, the election of McCain is more beneficial to Iran. Now, in the case of Iran's nuclear issue, Americans are deceiving the world on one hand and on the other, they show too much flexibillity towards Iran. They do not want to reveal their true intentions in this regard. I think if Democrats are elected, they would attack Iran shortly to appease Israelis.
Abbas Ghazianei, Arak (Central Iran)

I hope Obama will be elected and in Iran's upcoming presidential elections, Mohammad Khatami would be the one, so that the friendship between Iran and America which was offered by Khatami in 2003 and George Bush rejected it, would be chased up again and finally the two countries become friends.
Abbas Shafiei, Tehran

Some people believe that the election of Barack Obama would lead to a change in the relations between Iran and America, but this is not possible, unless a reformist government comes to power in Iran. If Obama becomes the US president while in Iran Ahmadinejad is elected again, there would not be any change between the two countries.
Masoud, Tehran

I do not think there would be any change after the US elections as far as policy towards Iran is concerned, because in America the establishment is based on a system not an individual and when a new president comes to power, the system does not change (which is a very good thing). A new president might make some changes in the means, but is not able to change the goals.
Ramin, Tehran

I think the result of the US election would not change anything regarding relations with Iran, because Europe and America are already the allies of Iranian government behind the scenes. The row over the nuclear issue has been fabricated by the two sides which is aimed at suppressing those who want human rights situation to improve (in Iran). So, it's better not to deceive ourselves with such names as Democrat, Republican, Labour, Conservative, etc.
Kuroush, Iran

Democrats have better relationship with Israel and the Israeli lobby have more impact on Democrats. We should not forget that Democrats' style is to attack from behind.
Bahmram Ahmadian, Tehran

It does not make any difference who becomes the next US president. The Iranian government would always oppose whoever he is. Iranian position vis-a-via America is crystal clear.
Omid, Mashhad

Election of someone like Obama, who likes to continue hostilities more comparing to his rival, would have a big impact on Iranian domestic politics. I think the result of previous Iranian presidential elections was a response to the humiliation of Iran and Iranians by George Bush during the reign of the most modern and most tolerant president of Iran (Mohammad Khatami). I see Obama uses a different language and this is a good sign for me as an Iranian citizen. Undoubtedly, if Obama is elected, America's reputation would improve.
Hadi N. Tehran

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From 大象传媒 Russian
I am not expecting any changes in the US politics in the coming decades. Their politics of today has been shaped by several generations and is aimed at becoming the number one economic power in the world. They use various means to achieve this. They use bribery to get Ukraine on their side, war - in Iraq, they use deceit against Russia as NATO moving closer to Russia's borders. The last thing was also the reason of the conflict with Georgia. Return NATO within its borders prior to the collapse of the USSR and do not deploy you missile defence system near Moscow. Then Russia will be your best partner.
Vladimir, Moscow

If Obama is elected, I want him to fulfil his promise given at the Democratic Convention not to resort to force in foreign politics.
InfernoChild, Moscow

As we say in Russia, two bears can't co-exist in one den. Recent US actions on the international arena demonstrate that Americans still view Russia as an enemy. So whichever of the two candidates win the race, the policy of isolating Russia will continue and the stand-off between our two countries will only get worse.
Soviet worker

Every US presidential election Russian-US relations hit a new low. I think Russia has become a pre-election brand in American politics.
Oleg, Sochi

I don't think there will be great changes in the Russian-US relations. But I do hope that Obama is elected. I hope he will look at the world around him with kinder eyes. Russia and USA do not realize how greatly they would both benefit from stability and friendship. They could have joint development projects in the North and in Siberia. They could explore outer space and travel to Mars together. It would be cheaper for Americans to do this in cooperation with Russia.
Dmitry Kovalsky, St Petersburg

When Moscow removed its army from Europe, when it closed down the military bases in Cuba, when it allowed the USSR to break up, when it was seeking friendship with America, how did America respond? They conspired to rip Russia off, breaking the promise they had made to Gorbachev. They moved NATO to Eastern Europe. They staged "coloured" revolutions in the former Soviet states. They set our people against each other and trained and equipped mercenaries of puppet regimes. I think they will continue doing the same things.
Ruslana, Krasnodar

I don't think the US politics will change after a new president is elected. The United States are experiencing a very mild economic crisis. The US economy has taken a turn for the better, but the crisis is not over yet. The US will only be able to deal with world issues after it has overcome this crisis at home. So in the next year it is Russia and China who will dominate the world.
Viktor, Moscow

I think USA and Russia are quite happy with the relations they have at the moment in many spheres. Disputes, such as the crisis over Georgia and South Ossetia, do not change anything, but they can be used as a practice model in case a real global crisis breaks out. In general both countries are playing their parts of superpowers quite well. In this situation I pity political dwarfs who have failed to understand that the party is over. The world became different after 8 August [when the crisis in South Ossetia broke out]. Russia has come back into the world picture.
Boris Plyushchikha, Moscow

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Whether is McCain or Obama, their victory will not change US policy towards the Arab World and the Middle East. No one will change US support for Israel and its occupation of Jerusalem.
Mohammed Dee, Egypt

The US elections ultimately result in electing the leader of the entire world. I think many people await a victory for Obama to correct and redress what has happened in America and in the world at the hands of the present Republican administration. I think Obama has kindled hope both inside and outside the United States, and I for one wish him all the luck in the world.
Majid al-Said, Egypt

Since the United States is a world leader, it would only be fair if we have a say in choosing the next world president. It is not fair to bear the brunt of the actions of the US president, such as wars and devastation, if we had no say in chosen him.
Nouman, Bahrain

The US elections may change the internal policies in the US, but it will not change the US foreign policy, especially in the Middle East.
Tariq Shams, Lebanon

The faces may change but the main goal would stay the same. Whoever wins, the interest of the US and those of her beloved Israel will be the priority. We, on the other hand, will still be waiting for a sympathetic glance of acceptance from them.
Namaa Al habashna, Jordan

American foreign policy must change, especially in the Middle East. There needs to be an American withdrawal from Iraq. America must accept that it not the only power, and that there is a shared responsibility and that a balance of power must be restored: China is an economic and political power and the Russian presence is felt again on the internationals stage. If either of the candidates grasp this, then we can expect a fundamental change in the current arrogant policy.
Ahmad, Saudi Arabia

The American elections are a comedy, starring the same (masked) actors.
Yousif, Libya

I am a US citizen and has been for 17 years. there is a saying that goes (invest in America, buy a politician). I used to vote but decide to abstain this time. Despite this, the US remains, for me, the best place to live and for that I am graceful.
Abu Sofian, USA

The rise of Obama is a turning point in the history of the USA and this will be reflected directly on the rest of the world. We hope that this change will prove positive in the Middle East, through agreeing a comprehensive and fair settlement for the Arab Israeli dispute, achieving political and economic stability in Iraq and resolving the dispute with Iran through peaceful means.
Moniem, Jordan

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