Ok, I just finished watching Obama's speech in Cairo and Youtube and wanted to share my thoughts. Now Obama is almost always excellent at the podium or on the stump, and this was no exception. It didn't touch the heart the way his speech on race did during the campaign, but that wasn't really the point of this one. In the course of the speech, Obama was fair, often blunt, even handed, knowledgable of history (a very refreshing change), intellectually honest (an even more refreshing change), and, in many ways, enlightened.
What I found most interesting about the speech was the way Obama used the language of Islam and Arabic culture to support his arguments. I can't think of any president having ever cited verses from the Koran, much less refer to it as "the Holy Koran". The audience seemed to respond positively to the inclusion, though I'm not sure how it will reverberate in the global Muslim community, some of the points coming very close to chastisement and I've got to admit, I'm not sure how far the connections to Islam in Obama's life will carry him in closing the credibility gap, as when addressing communities that one doesn't actually belong to we always run the risk of seeming condescending. Still, the sprinkling of religious language and culture were a nice touch I think, though here at home it may only serve to add fuel to the right wing fire. But hell, let the crazies rant, that's all they're good at.
I loved the fact that Obama based his speech in history, rather than giving a speech without any historical context. History is a powerful force, it establishes where we are at and how we got here, and shapes our lives and way of thinking even if we are ignorant of its facts. By reaching far into the past to discuss the relations of Islam and the West, and speaking with regard to the effects of colonialism and the cold war, even an acknowledgement of the American/British overthrow of Iranian democracy, Obama demonstrated a depth of knowledge and understanding of history few presidents have ever exhibited, which is important if he's going to craft a foreign policy that works.
I think he also made a great effort in relieving Muslim fears about American intentions. By assuring that American was not at war with Islam and pointing to concrete examples of American support for religious freedom, including the practice of Islam, Obama may have done us all a lot of good, but only time will tell for sure.
Conservatives are no doubt going to attack this speech. Again, that's all they're good at-bitching and moaning. Still, if there are any conservatives that are true to principle and judge the speech fairly, they'll see that Obama had a lot to see they'd agree with, justifying (rightfully so in my mind) the initial invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11, denouncing terrorism unequivocably, and pointing out that while America has made mistakes our country is ultimately the best example of progress on the globe with regards to democracy and human and civil rights. Equally admirable, though it will no doubt appeal more to liberals and progressives like myself, was the denouncement of violence as a dead end, alluding to the civil rights movements in the U.S. and South Africa (while smartly avoiding any mention of Ghandi and India which could invoke some painful memories).
Of course, the hard policy points are what counts. I was very happy to hear Obama restate his intention to get all combat brigades out of Iraq by August of 2010, and happier still to hear him issue the strongest support an American president has ever given to a Palestinian state and a denouncement of Israeli settlement policy by at the same time issuing a statement of support for Israel's right to exist and a continued close relationship between our two countries. His support for women's rights should be applauded and his call for a relationship with nations of the Middle-East based on more than energy needs was a good move (though I'm of the mindset that the less we're involved in the region, the better, but that's neither here nor there for the moment).
Overall, this was a good speech and a good PR move for Obama and America. But remember, the speech itself changes nothing. All it does is open the door for better relations with Muslims and Arabic people around the world. It's important that the speech be followed through with action, and that we hold Obama, his administration, and the Congress accountable for that action. One of the worst things we can do is disengage as a people from foreign policy, leaving it to politicians, or more often just the executive branch. If the world is to see change, it will only come from all of us demanding it, here at home and around the globe.