Juan Cole on Obama's first 100 days in the Middle East.

Juan Cole's Informed Comment is a good starting point for non-specialists who are interested in Middle Eastern history and current affairs. Cole wanted, it appears, to get in on the spate of "100 Days" analysis. I pulled out the summary points in an overall well-done piece. I presume he didn't want to broach the Chas Freeman imbroglio.

"So, an "A" on style, which is all that could probably be accomplished in 100 days. We need to come back and judge substance a year from now. But the challenges are enormous, especially at a time when domestic economic and health concerns are the primary focus of the American public.

It is too soon to tell whether he can succeed in handling this very full plate. But he has at least stopped digging us into a hole, and there is some prospect of him succeeding on at least some fronts.

It is hard to remember now how bad things were a year ago, in April of 2008, in this regard. How hopeless issues looked on all fronts, how absent and arrogant the supposed decider was, how perfidious and devious the real president-behind-the-scenes was. Obama cannot fix the world's problems simply by taking office or making some speeches. But he does give people hope with his style, intelligence, grasp of issues, and clear ethical imperatives. It is a new day. It is a new day."