Obama Advisers Privately Crediting Cairo Speech For Revolution In Iran
So just to get this straight, Obama refrained from condemning the murderous violence brought to bear against the protesters in Iran over fears that he might be seen as meddling. He’s downplayed the impact speaking out can have world events like this. And he’s said that he still respects Iran’s current regime. And the Iranians’ invitation for the 4th of July BBQ is still totally on.
But the protests? Well he’s responsible.
Obama’s approach to Iran, including his assertion that the unrest there represents a debate among Iranians unrelated to the United States, is an acknowledgment that a U.S. president’s words have a limited ability to alter foreign events in real time and could do more harm than good. But privately Obama advisers are crediting his Cairo speech for inspiring the protesters, especially the young ones, who are now posing the most direct challenge to the republic’s Islamic authority in its 30-year history.
One senior administration official with experience in the Middle East said, “There clearly is in the region a sense of new possibilities,” adding that “I was struck in the aftermath of the president’s speech that there was a connection. It was very sweeping in terms of its reach.”
So I’m confused. Did Obama meddle in his Cairo speech then?
