Our Man in Jeddah

Our Man in Jeddah

Last month, President Obama announced the appointment of Rashad Hussain as ambassador to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. By video, Obama told attendees at something called the U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar that Hussain was not just "an accomplished lawyer and trusted member of my White House staff," but also a "hafiz" -- a Muslim who has memorized the entire Koran.

That reminded me: George Shultz, when he served as Secretary of State under President Reagan, would routinely bring new ambassadors into his office where he kept a large globe. "Show...