Barack Obama and the Muslim World

Main Topic

President Obama Speaks in Cairo ()

President Obama delivered his much-awaited speech at Cairo University today, paying tribute to the Egyptian people and the contribution of Islam to the history of science and culture. He called for an end to the tensions between Muslims and the United States that have been caused by historical forces, including colonialism, the Cold War and the changes brought by modernity. He explained his goals in Iraq and Afghanistan, addressed Iran's nuclear aspirations and cited the Koran in a call for speaking truth after years of mistrust. Did he reach young people on the Arab street? Will his words make a difference to Israelis and Palestinians? What about Muslims in other parts of the world? We sample reactions from a variety of sources. 

Guests:

• Michael Slackman: Cairo Bureau Chief, New York Times
• Fawaz Gerges: Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Sarah Lawrence College
• Robin Wright: Public Policy Scholar Woodrow Wilson Center
• Saad Eddin Ibrahim: Egyptian human rights advocate
• Geoffrey Aronson: Research Director, Foundation for Middle East Peace

Links:

• Slackman's article on varying reactions to Obama speech
• Wright's 'Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East'

Reporter's Notebook

Racism in Sotomayor's 2001 'Latina' Talk? ()

Newt Gingrich has backed off and even Rush Limbaugh has moderated his tone after both claimed that Judge Sonia Sotomayor was a “racist.”  It's all about a 2001 speech she made at Bolt Hall Law School at the University of California, Berkeley. So what did the audience think then? Sotomayor said that what she called a “wise Latina” would usually reach a better judicial conclusion than a white male. That set off an outcry from opponents to her appointment to the US Supreme Court. Naftali Bendavid is national correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.

Guests:

• Naftali Bendavid: National Correspondent, Wall Street Journal