With regards to the speech, I believe that it was the right speech for the right situation. While I acknowledge Louis' comments, I feel a concilatory form of address was right for the situation. The earlier speech in Turkey, was, in my opinion, the right choice there. In the position of President, no matter what you do you will be criticised. Its been reported that some Israelis are extremely disappointed, and many Americans are critical of the (constructive) criticism of Israel. That said were he to go hard on Hamas, then his audience in Cairo, and the wider audience of the Middle East would then have reacted poorly.

Honestly I admire his tact. There is a time and a place for straight talking, but in this case I think Obama has got it right.