Suggested Citation:
Jaffe, Amy Myers and Keily Miller (2012) The Arab Awakening and the Pending Oil Pinch. Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations (Winter/Spring 2012)

When U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the Muslim world from Cairo in 2009, he made a point of specifying that America sought to improve its relations with the Middle East. He proposed engaging a wide range of issues including security, education, economic development, and human rights. The president said, “…while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.” His statements about democracy, justice, and the rule of law resonated most in the region.