ABSTRACT
So begins President Barack Obama in his address in Cairo, Egypt, on June 4, 2009, a speech intended to set a new course for United States’ relations with the Muslim world or at the very least to distance Obama from the policies of his predecessor, George W. Bush. In this speech, President Obama cites the amazing achievements of Islamic civilization, countering negative stereotypes. He also celebrates the greatness of the United States, declaring that the superpower is more than the stereotype
of a “self-interested empire”. He acknowledges the sins of the U.S. and the broader western world against Islamic peoples and nations-from the Crusades and colonialism to Cold War proxy wars-that have contributed to hostility. Likewise, he notes the reality of the September 11th attacks and the forces behind it, justifying U.S. actions in Afghanistan. Finally, more than just saying nice words proclaiming a desire for better relations, Obama makes concrete policy pledges, such as to close Guantánamo Bay within the year and to prohibit the use of torture by the United States.1
