Why do I feel freer?

Because credibility in action speaks louder than words. George W. Bush's so-called freedom agenda actually died in Guantanamo, secret prisons and other torture facilities worldwide. Obama's freedom agenda has started by repudiating and reversing those controversial actions. 

In eloquent remarks delivered after his historic inauguration Tuesday on the western steps of Capitol Hill, President Obama told the nearly 2 million people present, "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear." It is precisely that fear -- instigated by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and intentionally kept alive by the Bush administration, that caused many Americans to forget about their values and condone methods such as torture.

True, the majority of Americans now dismisses torture against suspected terrorists and supports the closure of Guantanamo. But I am thinking more about the 40 percent who still maintain the idea that "There are cases in which torture can be considered," according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such a number is unacceptable in a Western nation that champions human rights. It gives you an idea of the degree of damage done in the last eight years not only to the way the US government operates, but also to the role model it represents for the American people and beyond. No wonder Obama says the time has come "to choose our better history" and talks about "remaking America," while rejecting "as false the choice between our safety and our ideals."

What I liked most about Obama's remarks as president was the self-criticism about America and the emphasis on collective responsibility. "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world," Obama said. He later defined his objective to an enthusiastic State Department audience as follows: "Bring better days not just to our own country, but all around the world." This unselfish and collective approach is an indication that Obama has a clear understanding that we have a common destiny in a highly interconnected world.

His approach to power is also shaped by the same responsible, self-critical and smart attitude: "Power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please." Instead, he believes that "Our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

His secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, described it as "smart power," which means a wise combination of the soft and hard power of the US. Obama's visit to the State Department as early as his second full day as president was intended to show how much he prefers smart power, which largely involves diplomacy. Vice President Joe Biden added: "For too long, we've put the bulk of the burden … on our military. ... Our military is ... absolutely necessary, but not sufficient ... to secure the interest of this great nation." I hope Bush's hawks were listening to this.

Obama is in no way naive in understanding emerging threats to the US and the world. He is no less determined to defeat radicalism and extremism, especially those emanating from the Muslim world. But his approach is simply smarter and more sensible. He correctly believes, once again guided by the principles and values that have made America America, "We can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations." Multilateralism is not a choice, but an obligation in our world today.

Obama's approach can deliver far more than Bush's unilateralism could have ever achieved.

When Obama says, "We seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," it resonates in the Muslim world. After all, how many US presidents had a Muslim name and spent some of their childhood in an Islamic nation? "We are confronted by extraordinary, complex and interconnected global challenges," he rightly points out. Obama himself is an assorted product of an increasingly interconnected world. His foreign policy seems more likely to reflect that. I must commend him for acting swiftly and putting forth two of America's finest experts in conflict resolution, former Sen. George Mitchell and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, as envoys in charge of Arab-Israeli and Afghanistan-Pakistan issues, respectively. "Strong and sustained American engagement can bridge divides and build the capacity that supports progress," as Obama says. With this kind of political support and dedication from a US president, I am cautiously optimistic that we might actually see some light at the end of the long and dark tunnel to peace.

"America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and … we are ready to lead once more." One feels as if a peace activist has taken over the US administration when Obama says things like that -- a smart, dedicated, idealist, but, at the same time, a realistic and pragmatic activist. Obama has mostly said the right things during his election campaign. He started saying and doing the right things as president. I hope he doesn't change course over time while trying to change the US and the world for the better. Congratulations and good luck Mr. President.