What In The World Is Obama Going To Do?
Comments (4)
Everyone in the world wants a piece of the Obama pie.Â
In the European Union,
leaders have been competing for the president's attention since
November, each hoping that they will be the "chosen one" invited to
meet with Obama first. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown won the
honor, and the rest of the world is getting in line behind him.
But there was little mention of
America's Continental allies or foreign concerns in his address to Congress last night. It was, instead, a
time for words on the economy; it was a time to address the financial
tsunami that has washed away everything in its wake; it was a time for
President Obama to to help calm the fears closest to America's heart.
leaders have been competing for the president's attention since
November, each hoping that they will be the "chosen one" invited to
meet with Obama first. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown won the
honor, and the rest of the world is getting in line behind him.
But there was little mention of
America's Continental allies or foreign concerns in his address to Congress last night. It was, instead, a
time for words on the economy; it was a time to address the financial
tsunami that has washed away everything in its wake; it was a time for
President Obama to to help calm the fears closest to America's heart.
The world will have to wait.
And
so it should. Dealing with the problems inside America's borders should
be any president's first responsibility. He has promises to keep to his
own constituents. But the world will not wait for long, and when
President Obama turns his eyes toward foreign affairs he will see a
host of issues clawing for attention.
Iraq is certainly the
most noticeable, and the world is still waiting to see if Obama will
make good on his promises. So far, those promises look likely to be
delayed. The Guardian reported today that Obama is extending his
timeline to withdraw from Iraq by three months, with an
announcement coming Friday. Next is Afghanistan, which Obama will need
to work out with Brown and NATO officials, since
British troops currently dominate the military forces there. Then there
are the nuclear vibes coming from North Korea and Iran. The
Arab-Israeli conflict will give him plenty to deal with. China is a can
of worms. Russia, an ever-ominous force.
Obama skimmed over his
long foreign policy "to-do" list last night, stating that his
administration is currently "reviewing" policies on the wars in both
Iraq and Afghanistan, forging "a new and comprehensive strategy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat al-Qaida and combat extremism," working "toward a secure and lasting peace between Israel and
her neighbors" by appointing an envoy specific to the cause, and
strengthening "old alliances" as well as forging "new ones to combat
terrorism, nuclear proliferation, "pandemic disease," "cyber threats"
and "crushing poverty."
He finished his world overview with a few points on the coming G-20 summit, which Britain is hosting on April 2nd:
"We are working with the nations of the G-20 to restore confidence in
our financial system, avoid the possibility of escalating
protectionism, and spur demand for American goods in markets across the
globe. For the world depends on us to have a strong economy, just as
our economy depends on the strength of the world's."
During
the summit, Obama will be faced with proposals from the European Union
and asked for his support. A group of European leaders will be pitching
an economic proposal crafted by the EU, which includes harsher
consequences for the offshore "tax havens" that allegedly harbor an estimated $7 trillion in untaxable funds and overall
tighter market regulation.
For years, the European Union has
been craving more engagement with American leaders and more recognition
as a global power. Hopes were high during election season for a new
administration that would have a less insular perspective than the
last and reach out to foreign allies as confidants and advisers. Obama
spoke to that desire last night, stating that America is "showing the
world that a new era of
engagement has begun." The president added, "For we know that America
cannot meet the threats
of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America."
For the European Union, these words suggest the potential of a shifting
dynamic in the western world, one in which "global interdependence," as
one EU official defined it, is more important than dominant power. The
hope in Europe is that America will rescind some the arrogance of the
Bush years and work in partnership with the rest of the world, allowing
outside voices to inform decision making.
Obama
was rushed by crowds of eager politicians as he left the House chamber, each
wanting to shake his hand or catch his eye. It was an appropriate
image, defining his relationship with the rest of the world in the
years to come. There is a lot to do. Too much, it seems, for one man or
one administration. For now, just keeping his head above the sea of
outstretched hands is going to be hard work for America's new president.
Comments
I dont understand how we come of the world today, Why do we have to fight against other countries, can we all just get along together and come to peace and make friends. We live in this world together and we will go out together if we dont come to peace. Yes we have bad people and good people, but if we have the bad people go to church and have God forgive there sins but have them make the Lord there life, maybe all the bad people will turn good, We have to forgive but not forget. We as our nation need to work together and have the other countries come to peace with us. We need to get all the Presidents together in one Big Room and talk with each other and make peace I bet God will let us live on earth. Forget about World War III lets not do it. Make everyone love each other if we all give the same in each Country and be equal with every thing we can make it in life. We all need to be EQUAL. We R suppose to LOVE each other and come to peace. Dont hold grudges its not worth it. Dont commit no more
sins. I have sins but I need to ask for forgiveness and everyone else can do the same. We dont need to hate no one we might not agree but we all need to come to our sences because the world might not be here tomarrow. Be thankful your alive and you have what you have. Every once in a while I will give a person that lives on the street money just because it makes me feel better and it shows God Im not that greedy for money. I can care less for money, If God came today , I will leave everything behind and walk with his footsteps. I give my belongings that I dont need to goodwill and I dont ask for a reciept, Because people need it more than I . I would make food for people if there hungry I will feed the animals that walk in my path. I care and have feelings does anyone in the world feel the same?I just hope this world wont end in a bad way we can make it better if we all try and get together and do it together. We are all diffrent race , religion, etc but we all come from Adam and Eve so what makes us diffrent. I have learned for myself we are all the same, some may be meaner than others but we can give hugs and say we all love God and Jesus and we walk with him. I pray to the Lord that this world comes to peace and all archangels swarm around each and everyone of us to guide us into loving one another forever and make this world a better place to live. Amen
Steve, the US is not subordinate to the UN. The UN works for its member countries, just as the US federal government works for the States. Giving the UN more than a polite acknowledgment would only further the agenda of those sad, confused souls who believe we should surrender our national sovereignty to a world body that has no interest in preserving our security and freedom, or the security and freedom of our allies -- notably Israel and Taiwan.
Obama should use his first visits to re-affirm our alliances with our nation's oldest and strongest friends. Canada, appropriately, was first. The UK, France, Japan, and Mexico should also be high on the list. I wish he'd go reaffirm our friendship with Israel, but knowing Obama, he'd probably insist on a tour of Gaza and get blown up trying to hug a "militant".
Actually, that's exactly the problem. There is no "President of the EU" for Obama to call. It's such a scattered, expansive institution that it's very difficult to figure out who is responsible for what. But that's the point. The EU doesn't want a single individual or nation to seem like they have more power over the others. It all has to be an even playing field, which means that there is no telephone number connected to a red phone that the head of Europe answers when the U.S. calls. When I was in Brussels, EU officials would constantly joke about this fact, referring to Henry Kissinger's famous quote: "Who do I call if I want to call Europe?"
There is now a Facebook group advocating for the EU to answer Kissinger's question and appoint and official "President of Europe": http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10814298708&ref=nf
So, for now at least, individual nations are still the way to go. Despite the weird bureaucracy of Europe.
There is a lot to say, and your writing does merit response, but my only possibly unique contribution is to ask... why does the U.S.A. always start with the U.K. and not with, or at least via, the President of the E.U.? Wouldn't that send an even more positive message to the world (and dozens of countries)? And what about Kofi Annan? Have I missed something or shouldn't Obama first acknowledge these two world bodies before he singles out particular politicians?