President Barack Obama addressed the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt, on June 3. Beginning with the Islamic phrase “Assalamu alaikum,” translated as “may peace be with you” and making a reference to the Koran, the president was able to connect with some of the Muslim faith who feel distant from the Western cultures and practices. Some believe that Obama may be the missing link that can connect the regions, giving his speech high praises.

While he spoke of women’s rights and the future of Guantanamo Bay, he devoted two thirds of his speech to concrete ideas and plans for the future. Although his rhetoric seemed sincere, there are those who will not accept the United States’ changes in policy until the actions are implemented. This doubt finds its roots in promises that were not kept by past presidents and leaders in the region. With the approval rating of the United States a mere 14 percent in Muslim countries, it seems unlikely that one speech can sway the 78 percent who disapprove. That percentage includes the general population as well as the extremist groups who thrive on anti-American sentiment. The violence of these extremist groups influences much of the policy in the Middle East, making it nearly impossible to make drastic changes in how the government functions without drastic changes in the outlook of democracy and the West.

So how can one speech change the outlook of an entire region? It can’t. But what Obama’s speech can do is help rally support for a change in policies which can result in progress in the Middle East. 

The main concern that could benefit from this progress is the Palestinian-Israeli situation, in which Obama decided to remain unbiased during his speech. However, many conservatives are attacking the President for this neutrality. The United States has been backing the Israelis in the conflict and many fear that the impartial approach could end those ties. This would in turn make it difficult to resolve the issue of a Palestinian homeland without the ties with the Israelis.

The question remains whether the speech in Cairo was a success or a failure? One thing is for sure: It seems that the immediate effects of the speech are successful because it has people talking which is the first step towards progress in the region.