Barack Obama, Prince Charles, BGordon Brown, Stephen Harper, and Nicolas Sarkozy arrive at the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur -Mer Photo: APIn Mideast And Europe, Obama Debuts 'Global Populism' -- Christian Science Monitor
The American president took his case straight to the people on his trip this week, spending limited time with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, and France.
Paris - Over three days in the Middle East and Europe, President Obama began an ambitious recasting of politics and global perceptions – taking his case for a new beginning directly to the world's people.
The American president started with a nuanced bid for US-Muslim understanding and Mideast peace at the storied Cairo University – and ended in front of a soaring statue at the American cemetery at Omaha beach in Normandy titled, "The Spirit of American Youth, Rising from the Waves."
Read more ....
My Comment: Much of the Western Press (i.e. the American Press) are enamored by this idea .... but when I read the foreign press I find hostility and a great deal of skepticism. In Iraq, there is fear on what will happen when the Americans leave. Afghanistan is starting down the path of a long term insurgency. Pakistan is in the grips of a brutal civil war. European countries like Germany and France are concerned about American fiscal policy, and Britain is now starting to notice President Obama's lack of energy in the Anglo-U.S. relationship. North Korea has destabilized the entire North Eastern part of Asia. And the Middle East .... is acting like the Middle East.
He does not have the history nor background of his predecessors .... therefore for Europe and the Middle East to notice him, he will have to implement policy. What that policy will be .... that is what people will react to. But so far all that I hear (as a Canadian) is rhetoric .... and I do not see substance.
President Obama has another 3 years and 8 months to do something .... but he should do it fast and skip the nuances.