What Obama should say in Cairo
The president takes a big step in his effort to improve U.S. relations with the Muslim world
President Obama faces a speechmaker's "ultimate test" this week in Cairo, said Howard Fineman in Newsweek. Obama says his goal is "nothing less than to 'reconcile Islam and modernity.'" But, after the presidency of George W. Bush, Obama isn't risking much by going so far out on a limb. "All Obama has to do to be a success is elicit applause—rather than a fusillade of hurled shoes."
If Obama isn't careful he'll get tripped up by his own lofty aspirations, said Paul R. Pillar in National Journal. Given the anticipation ahead of Obama's trip to Egypt, "the president probably has at least as much opportunity to disappoint as to satisfy." Ultimately, the Obama administration will have to show it's more even-handed on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict if it really hopes to restore "U.S. credibility in the Muslim world."
To pass this "major test," said Jason Brownlee in the Houston Chronicle, Obama will have to use his June 4 Cairo address to outline how he's making good on his "vow to end detainee abuse and restore America's moral authority." That will be a tricky thing to accomplish in Egypt, which the U.S. has chided "for abusing detainees even while endorsing, and in some cases exploiting, those same methods."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published