I thought it was a well-travelled non-secret in U.S. diplomatic circles. The Atlantic ran an article [1] a few years ago that caused quite a stir, in part by showing that the U.S. has active invade-and-defuse ("render safe") plans for Pakistan.
[1] http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2011/12/the-ally-f...
He criticized India for its backward views on women - and no words on the saudis.
I view both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to be the most vile countries with extremely vile societies - I used to think its just the govt. But having lived in the middle east and known a lot of saudis and pakistanis I am disappointed to say that the people are not much more different that the terrible views spewed by their govt.
But somehow the countries that require the most attention are Iran and Syria ?
Obama took big risks in the 2008 campaign to accuse Pakistan of harboring Usama ibn Laden. Hillary and McCain both condemned him for telling the truth.
The national media and national security PR machine attacked Obama for saying it but Obama stood firm. Obama also promised he'd go into Pakistan and kill ibn Laden whatever the diplomatic cost and then he did it.
Obama also told us exactly why the Iraq adventure would be a disaster in 2002.
I don't like the police state policies Obama enforces at home, but we're lucky to have him. The next few presidents are unlikely to be as brave, honest, visionary, or competent when it comes to foreign policy. The Washington insider machine will be back in power far too soon.