President Obama granted his first interview in the White House to the Arabic TV station Al-Arabiya, an interesting move that emphasizes his interest in reaching out to the Arab and Muslim world. This came after he made his first phone call to an Arab leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The White House had said that Obama also called the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan’s King Abdallah.

During his interview, Obama said he told his Mideast George Mitchell to "start by listening." He talked about having Muslims in his family and growing up in a Muslim country. He repeated phrases from his inaugural speech, like "mutual respect and mutual interest."

It is a good start for his first week in office, but are these words enough to influence people's opinions in the Middle East? Do you think Obama will change much in the region, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

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