Obama in Cairo: We’re not enemies. Don’t mess with the U.S.

by David Safier
I haven't watched the entire speech Obama gave in Cairo. I've seen bits on cable news, and Talking Points Memo has done a masterful job of shrinking it down to 4 minutes, 43 seconds.

If you catch all or part of the speech, watch the seriousness on Obama's face, the occasional forceful downturn of the mouth as he makes a point some in the audience might disagree with, the use of the hand with index finger raised, emphasizing a point. And listen to the sometimes warm, sometimes stern tone he employs.

Obama is talking peace and understanding. He's also talking tough to Israel and tough to the Arab Middle East. And he's saying, in words, tone and body language, I'm not a man to be trifled with, and neither is my country. We're not enemies. We want to be friends and allies. But don't think you can mess with the U.S.

If that package comes across to Jews and Muslims in the Middle East and to Jews and Muslims around the world, Obama will have moved the reputation of the U.S. and the prospects for a better world a few steps forward.