Obama's speech in Cairo: Are Muslims convinced?

Los Angeles Times by Jeffrey Fleishman | Jun. 4, 2009 (News Analysis)

'America, Islam are not exclusive,' Obama says in Cairo

Cairo -- He came. He spoke. But did he convince?

President Obama's long-anticipated speech to the Arab world today sought to dissolve the mistrust between Islam and the West by highlighting his personal appeal as he urged ending intolerance and violence and moving toward a shared future. It was a carefully textured blend of history, the president's personal experience with Islam and the need to quell religious extremism. Full Story »

Posted by Fabrice Florin

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3.7

by Derek Hawkins - Jun. 4, 2009

A fair, straightforward analysis that discussed the character of Obama's speech and the relative impact of his words. Identifies the president as a "conciliator," an appropriate term well supported in the story.

The address did not answer that; it didn’t provide enough concrete solutions to wipe away doubt. It did suggest, however, that the president was a conciliator, not a warrior, and that America, especially in Iraq, had made mistakes. Saving face is a cherished Arab virtue, and a man who keeps his face and lists his mistakes is respected. But Obama was also firm when he urged Islam to tame its violent minority and put away the “crude stereotype” of America

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