VIDEO: Obama's Middle East Trip Highlights

Scroll down for the latest video of Obama's Middle East trip...

Reaction to Obama's speech:

From Israel to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama's highly anticipated speech was well received. NBC's Martin Fletcher, Richard Engel and Andrea Mitchell report:

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CNN reports on reaction to Obama's speech in Egypt:

Moments after President Barack Obama delivered his speech calling for "new beginnings" between the U.S. and the Muslim world, a wave of positive reaction reverberated through the streets of Cairo. NBC's Tom Aspell reports:

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President Barack Obama's Cairo speech was welcomed in many parts of the Muslim world, but many were skeptical that words would not become deeds. From the AP:

Video highlights from Obama's Cairo speech:

Obama seeks new beginning:

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Obama on Israel and Palestine:

ed video from CNN Video

Obama: We can remake the world:

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From the Saudi leg of Obama's trip:

MSNBC's Richard Wolffe discusses President Barack Obama's trip to Egypt and Saudi Arabia with Keith Olbermann:

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Obama's full remarks during his sit down with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah.

Obama gets the King Tut treatment in Egypt as bazaars sell memorabilia showing Obama as the new King Tutankhamun. Watch the video below.

President Obama arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the beginning of his trip to the Middle East.

Comments

[grammargirl]

The more I listen to this speech is the more I realize how advenced the president's thinking is. That he should dare to bring such a vision on to the world stage, knowing he would offend to some extent each party shows incredible courage. The barbs and darts he launched were tipped with salve, so their sting was fleeting. This is consumate communication and diplomacy. Someone once said "Diplomacy is the art of telling someone to go to hell, yet in a manner so persuasive they ask for directions." Indeed this is the the kind of leader we have waited for.

It is tragic to watch the antics of his detractors here at home, pandering to their base, belittling a great moment in history. It reduces them to buffoons and comedic figures, petty and myopic, without substance, and without a sense of the new epoch coming into view.

[Seattlelite]

You know what's cool about this President.....I truly belive he is not interested in being President
for aculation or ego. This President wants to go down in history as one of the great US Presidents. And to be one of the greats, he has to accomplish big things. If he can't , I suspect he'd rather not be President. This is what I determined from his speech today, he went where NO President has ever dared to go in fear of losing his job. He stood up to Israel today . Israel doesn't seem to care the cost the US pays for supporting them and pass Presidents have allowed them not to care. President Obama is able to make a speech like this because he didn't sell his soul to speical interst groups, his grassroot movement has allowed him the freedom to do what is right. To every average working Joe citizen that supported this man with small donations THANK YOU!!

[NotMcCain]

I think the commentators (like Howard Fineman and Keith Olbermann) are wrong that this is not as sigificant as Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

That was a great sound bite--very nice reading from an actor--but didn't accomplish much or even mean much.

Obama's speech, unlike many soundbites its being unfavorably compared with, had DEPTH. It was actually a very profound gesture -- and I think one that Americans have trouble comprehending.

When you have written off a country headed by an ignorant warmonger for nearly a decade, and then see an intelligent, fair and friendly new leader extending an olive branch of understanding and respect....well, it must be absolutely stunning.

Thank you, Mr. President. You do us proud.

[grammargirl]

I remember thinking when I saw on TV Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev at that White House state dinner with Ronald and Nancy Reagan that their relationship was truly magical. The caviar, vodka with the strains of "Moscow Nights" in the air, laughter and good cheer was a precursor of great things to come. when we have a leader who is firm yet affable, and thinks of other heads of state as partners and not somehow inferior, it augurs well and together yhey can do great things.

The roadmap to peace has been discussed privately behind the walls of Camp David meeting rooms, but never has the issue been so openly addressed by any world leader. It is hoped that israel will not play the injured party or the petulant child, and finally have enough guts to do everything in its power to pursue peace. And to those Palestinians and other Arab nations who have always insisted Israel has no right to exist, for how long are you prepared to continue this senseless family feud? Humanity needs to move forward, and we are retarding progress.

[nana4g]

I truly love this President and am so grateful to still be alive to know him!

Having lived for 2 1/2 years in Saudi Arabia, 1992-1994, I am very moved at the Red Carpet welcome for our President and the National Anthem played by the Saudi Military Band. I am sure they see him as their "native son", in so many ways.

Mr. President did a great job in Cairo today. I awakened to my clock radio at 5am to his voice, "Assalam Aleikum" and jumped up to turn on the TV. Everything in his life, every experience in his "body of work" so far, has prepared him, unknowingly, for this purpose in life: to try and facilitate, as the President of the USA, a new world of peace and cooperation. Godspeed.

[CRX]

Before He was elected President I was saying that I felt He was a Gift to our world from God.
I now know that what I was feeling was indeed true.
President Obama Is a Blessing and Gracious Gift to Our world From God.

[grammargirl]

any American president would have received this welcome from the Saudis.

[levibatgirl]

Another message going out to the world is that the American people, by electing President Obama, have come to their senses and are no longer out of their minds.

I know the A-holes stole both elections but still.......We looked REALLY BAD!!

[CRX]

You are correct levibatgirl!
I wish I could send a billion emails to all those folks saying "Those jack asses did Not represent the American people!".
Now we have a President that does!

[levibatgirl]

Amen!

; )

[jayes]

where's the islamic world? mars? dark side of the moon?

if you live in seattle or burbank, isn't the middle east kansas?

[wagthedog1001]

In the final analysis: This man has brass balls. I love it!

PEACE!

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

And they are 'LARGE"!

[OleLadySquawking]

I love the comparison to King Tutenkammen, the tour guide said Obama resembled him and here's a picture of the the king's face mask, http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=83450&rendTypeId=4. What an eerie resemblance it is because... My daughter is also biracial, and there is a museum in Chicago where you can transpose your face on to an Egyptian queens, her face matches it perfectly.

[TakeSake]

Another view of King Tut. Scroll to the end of the page. I couldn't find the complete image, however:
http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2008/02/amiga-history-part-6.ars

[nana4g]

He saw a hieroglyphic at the pyramids of a face and said himself that it looks just like him, even the ears!

[CRX]

Maybe the Egyptian shopkeeper is on to something!

[EmmanuelTheTalkingHorse]

My girlfriend thinks Obama sucks. I think he's absolutely awesome.

She's not actually my girlfriend anymore. It's just not possible for a couple to make it work when only one of those people is actually sane.

[ClearingtheAir2010]

Before I read the second half of your comment my exact thought was "break up with her jeez"

[EmmanuelTheTalkingHorse]

; )

mission accomplished heheheh.

[dezzu]

OT: i like your userpic!

[Seattlelite]

Not your girlfriend anymore....consider it a blessing.

[BMK]

In related news, Sarah Palin is newly single...

[fictioneer]

When, oh when, is Andrea Mitchell's career over? I'm so tired of her smug tugs at the edges of controversy.

[ClearingtheAir2010]

she's a just the tip kinda reporter

[NotMcCain]

Interviewing LIZ CHENEY about Obama's trip.

Oh dear God, why?

[ClearingtheAir2010]

there is no wonder why people are so skeptical of any western leader's rhetoric toward the region...back in the mid 20th century, we basically played carve up with the region...who gets what? So many people's fates decided by short-sighted western rulers.

But I have faith, Obama def turned an excellent page today!

[Lisa1964]

I am so proud that Mr. Obama is our President! What a beautyful speech today! I think our President was very brave to give the speech because I'm sure there are special interest groups all around the world that don't want peace in the Middle East. I'm sure there are many that make lots of money in all the conflict within the Middle East.

While I was at work I printed President Obama's speech, I read it twice and was so impressed. I am so proud I voted for President Obama and I wil do so again in 2012.

God bless you President Obama

[kalimuzo]

Thank you Lisa, a lot of us worked very hard for this very reason. We saw hope in Obama.

[Seattlelite]

This is the President you get when everyday working people take money out of there pockets.

[grammargirl]

Once in a lifetime comes along a human being the planet pauses to acknowledge, one fearless, with a mission, a vision, wisdom and humility. It seems to be no coincidence that this man was exposed to so many cultures, and is himself a hybrid, It is so he could understand the pain of not belonging, yet being a citizen of the world.

It is scary to contemplate our fate as Americans had we not heard the chimes at midnight and had elected the other two candidates.

It would have been sheer lunacy.

[pdxwoman]

very true! thank you!

[OleLadySquawking]

You have put into words what I've been thinking, thank you.

[nana4g]

I had to transition to President Obama after the primaries ended. It was not difficult, 2 weeks of grief, then belief, then passion. I firmly believe this was supposed to happen; he was supposed to be the President. I think Hillary is proud to serve him. He is a wise man. He is the only person who could intervene in this world mess. Pretty soon, we will hear the neocons and rightwingers say he is too Muslim.....to that I say, that it is unbelievable that in the past 15 years with the ever increasing challenges arising from the Middle East and the Arab world, that none of our government leaders made an effort to learn themselves or hire people who knew the culture, could speak the basic common courtesies, and understood the nuances of speech and communication with Arabs and who could understand the religion and it's importance in the life of the Arab. Instead, the last National Security Advisor was touted as being an expert on Soviet and Russian relations, chosen after the Cold War ended when relations were stable, then set about to mess up those relations as well as all others throughout the world. You couldn't have wrought so much destruction if you had planned it!

[LB14]

many Spaniards are upset about a historical inaccuracy, and some of his comments about the hijab were misleading

but overall the clear message and tone of the speech were PERFECT imo. It was the best speech I have ever heard in my life....truly historic. We are very lucky to have such a President.

[nana4g]

A gentleman in Cairo said it was as significant and as good as JFK's "Ich am Beliner" speech.

Of course, it was more significant: it could save many lives!!

[disfasia]

Let us look at this speech given during our current colonization of Iraq, our invasions of Pakistan and Afghanistan:

1. He alludes to the Middle East as Muslim when these countries have been the center for various sects of Christianity, Zoroastrians, and Jews. Many of the inventions wo which he refers as coming from Islamic cultures came from a long history of cultural plurality in this area of the world;

2. Obama speaks of the US as against Empire at the very moment when our forces are killing in the name of Empire;

3. The US did not not international support--far from it. We were opposed by the majority of Europeans (many whose governments bulldozered over their desires by sending troops). We certainly did not go by necessity--Afghanis who are in the world's top poverty-stricken people were not a "necessary" target;

4. Obama has continued Bush policy on diminished civil and legal rights for the Guantanamo prisoners, & their trials are still secret-- considered highly unconstitutional in our own country, policies considered illegal by internatonal law;

I am underwhelmed by this advertising executive. We have blood on our hads as our troops are being sent to slaughter innocent lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Instead of reading Obama's teleprompted speech, let's devote five minutes a day to reading about the lives we have taken. How much closer will this get us to peace and equality?

[grammargirl]

You're welcome to remain underwhelmed. You should have seen to it that the other candidate and the lady VP had been elected. Boohoo.

[Heaphy]

You sound like someone in 1861 compiling their list of "Top Ten Reasons Why Abraham Lincoln Stinks". Your perfect hypothetical ideal is the enemy of real world progress.

- Jim Heaphy

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

OUCH!

[nuff said]

Perfect response. Thank you, Mr. Heaphy,

[gatogato]

Great comment.

[mishte]

I apologize that I don't have the power to give you the nifty orange "HuffPo" pick icon, but I had to log in _ specifically _ to say: Thank you and consider your comment "Best of the Day" (albeit unofficially in every way). : )

Thank you, Mr. Heaphy.