I think one of the main highlights of the speech in Cairo was Obama's 7 "tensions" that he mentioned in his speech. Here are a paraphrasing and some commentary
1st Tension: The Battle Against violent extremism.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not - and never will be - at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
This should be a given but we seem to keep going to war in Muslim countries ever since the end of the Cold War. It was nice for Obama to actually point out that this isn't a war with Islam but with violent extremists that want to kill Americans. It would have been nice to hear some more anti-Al-Quida rhetoric thrown in.
2nd Tension: Israelis vs. Palestinians and the Arab world
Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.
This is basically for the Palestinians to give up violence and form a state and for Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank. It is a kind of a simplistic solution on the surface but you have to have some kind of goals in mind. Getting Hamas to not kill Israeli's and having the IDF force settlers out of the West Bank (after forcing settlers out of Gaza only to have it turn into a rocket shooting gallery) will have to be the heavy lifting part.
3rd Tension: Nukes in the Middle East
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation - including Iran - should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
Obama repeats his negotiations without precondition with Iran. So I think we might have an Almadinijoke (assuming he wins the election) vs. Obama debate on the radar in the next few years. It is interesting to have him endorse a Iran's (and anyone else for that matter) "right to access peaceful nuclear power." That just put a major burden on the UN to not have these nations tricking them into okaying nuclear power plants with a side-order of secret bomb work. Israel needs to ramp up their new nuclear power plant ASAP. Let the peaceful (hopefully) nuclear power race in the Middle East begin because America seems to be all for it.
4th Tension: Democracy and Islam
No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
It is good to see him break out elections from democracy. Democratic societies are more about placing the interests of the people in front of the interests of the rulers. There are just too many cleptocracies in the Middle East and it seems that Obama wants that to end.
5th Tension: Religious Freedom
Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld - whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Wow, now that is something to see an American president say the Muslims need to close the Sunni vs. Shia devide. That fight has been going on since after Mohammed died and probably won't end in my lifetime. It is good to see Obama giving a shout out to helping religious minorities in the Muslim world as well.
6th Tension: Women's Rights
Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men and women - to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.
Now this is a real break with past tradition of America keeping their mouth shut about the plight of women in the Muslim world. The idea that America is going to teach women to read and *gasp* run businesses should make every Mullah tremble. A woman's revolt in Iran or Saudi Arabia would strait-up change the world and shake the pillars of power. Maybe US feminist groups should be all over this cause instead of smearing Sarah Palin. The World Sisterhood needs to be formed by the left to help Muslim women.
7th Tension: Economic Development
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
At one time Muslim nations were some of the richest and most innovative in the world due to trade, education, and the wise movement of capital. Obama lays out a host of new programs to push entrepreneurship in the Middle East (perhaps by starting an America-led micro-credit organization.) He also advocates bringing more Muslim students to the US to go to school. The intriguing part is sending American students to the Muslim world. They better not be thought of as spies and jailed. That would strait-up suck.
Also the idea of starting some kind of online network that connects Muslim and American kids is great idea. This would be a great way to deprogram some of the death cult of anti-American zealots that keep coming out of the Middle East. It will also allow American kids to be a little more aware of the other people living in the world and their cultures. I think more emphasis on cultural exchange that goes beyond our troops in their countries or their crazy zealots in ours is good for America.
The Muslim science and technology fund sounds like something to be proud of if it is executed right. I mean one of the best ways to get Muslim world to really shine is to focus them on the pursuit of science and technological understanding. After all the Golden Age of Islam wasn't marked by backwards education and cleptocracies. Now the part the Muslim world will really be waiting for. We heard Obama's words now they are waiting for Obama's actions.
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