How will U.S. policy change after Obama's Cairo Speech?
On June 3, Irshan Manji wrote an excellent post about President Obama’s “speech problems”, referring to the challenges facing the president in his address to the Muslim world.
Mr. Obama set the tone for his speech early on quoting scripture, “As the Holy Koran tells us be conscious of God and speak always the truth”. Indeed, many hoped that he would be willing to speak truth to power during his visit to the increasingly authoritarian country.
The president addressed among other things, Palestinian/Israeli relations, terrorism, global war, and women’s rights. A bold move considering many expected him to avoid the issue of human rights.
However, the question remains what happens now? Rhetoric is one thing, but change takes time, fortitude, and the will to act. Newsy.com reports on how the administration is expected to follow through on the sentiments expressed by President Obama in Cairo:
The transfer today of Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, and his upcoming federal court appearance may be an attempt by the administration to show its commitment to human rights issues.
Taking the lead in this way is consistent with statements made by the president last week in Cairo, “Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared”.
On June 3, Irshan Manji wrote an excellent post about President Obama’s “speech problems”, referring to the challenges facing the president in his address to the Muslim world.
Mr. Obama set the tone for his speech early on quoting scripture, “As the Holy Koran tells us be conscious of God and speak always the truth”. Indeed, many hoped that he would be willing to speak truth to power during his visit to the increasingly authoritarian country.
The president addressed among other things, Palestinian/Israeli relations, terrorism, global war, and women’s rights. A bold move considering many expected him to avoid the issue of human rights.
However, the question remains what happens now? Rhetoric is one thing, but change takes time, fortitude, and the will to act. Newsy.com reports on how the administration is expected to follow through on the sentiments expressed by President Obama in Cairo:
The transfer today of Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, and his upcoming federal court appearance may be an attempt by the administration to show its commitment to human rights issues.
Taking the lead in this way is consistent with statements made by the president last week in Cairo, “Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared”.
H/T: Newsy.com
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