In Cairo in 2009 Lexington met a pro-reform academic, Nader Fergany, still seething six years on.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Obama then met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the lakeside home where she spent years under house arrest.

BBC: US President Obama hails Burma's 'remarkable journey'

During the two-day trip earlier this month, the secretary-general met with authorities and asked them to immediately release all political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

CNN: U.N. chief urges Myanmar to hold 'fair' election

He met on Friday with officials in Lebanon, less than a week after a pro-Western coalition made strides against a Hezbollah-led bloc in parliamentary elections.

CNN: Envoy Mitchell to visit Syria

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the pro-Israel lobbying group J Street, was among U.S. leaders who met with Mr. Obama.

WSJ: Obama to Appeal to Israelis in Trip