President Obama used his platform wisely when he gave his first interview as head of state this week to the Arab satellite TV station Al Arabiya. Although he himself cautioned that he will eventually be judged more on his actions than his words, Obama did say some things that Muslims and people in the Arab world needed to hear from the new American president. He signalled an intention to listen to various points of view.

Undoubtedly, many of his listeners would have wanted Obama to express compassion for the hundreds of innocent civilians killed, wounded, and traumatised during Israel’s recent offensive in Gaza. He had expressed such compassion previously. Yet he did break new ground by hailing the significance of the Arab League peace initiative originally proposed by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, a proposal that offers Israel peace and normalised relations with all 22 Arab states once Israelis and Palestinians negotiate a two-state resolution of their conflict.

Obama also showed a shrewd appreciation of the way several Mideast crises are intertwined. This was not merely a sound analysis; it also corresponds to what his listeners believe. Skilfully, Obama was informing his audience that he is open to dialogue — and that any state interested in promoting peace is welcome to participate.