Before: Europe and much of the world either oppose our ventures in Iraq and Afghanistan or don't lift a finger to help.
After: Europe and much of the world cheer us on in finishing up in Iraq and Afghanistan and don't lift a finger to help.
Well, at least the atmosphere has changed.
The world certainly likes Barack Obama more than George W. Bush, and for that we can be grateful.
Fact is, the Obamas wowed the world in their foreign debut this past week. They said all the right things -- as far as Europe is concerned -- and displayed a devastating mix of charm and sincerity, style and substance in London, Paris and beyond.
As a public relations move, the Obamas' European adventure was a smashing success. For the moment, they managed to tamp down anti-Americanism and show the world that America -- no matter what we are compelled to do -- means well.
It helps to have the world on our side.
Of course we may not be able to count on other nations pitching in to do the world's dirty work. Mr. Obama, as did his predecessor, may find the world less helpful than he'd like. Mr. Obama may, indeed, have to go some things nearly alone.
Indeed, NATO cheered his new Afghanistan strategy, but provided only 3,000 mostly non-combat troops and $600 million in support of the mission.
But it's telling that two British newspapers scolded NATO for not supporting the U.S. mission more.
And with the good will the Obamas have created, perhaps the president will be able to get away with more unpopular acts of leadership than the previous administration might have. Maybe the world will cut him more slack than it did Mr. Bush.
That might come in handy down the road.
Comments
Yup, you hit on it. Obama takes the same stance with foreign policy that Bush did, but he doesn't incur the wrath of the world. Hey, if that works great. The lesson for Republicans is we need a charismatic candidate and need to stop worrrying about the specifics of foreign policy so much, since both Repubs and Dems do pretty much the same thing anyway.
finally a reasonable editorial from the AC.
imagine, diplomacatic efforts and tact can actually have an effect! crazy!
I would like to point out that NATO troops are dying at a pretty steady clip in Afghanistan. United States has suffered 674 U.S. military fatalities in Afghanistan. The UK has lost 152 & Canada has lost 116 soldiers in Afghanistan. Canada is scheduled to end its mission in Afghanistan in 2011. 56% of Canadians want their troops out of Afghanistan. A Romanian officer was killed today. A Dutch solder was killed & 5 others wounded yesterday. President Obama is making a serious blunder in escalating the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. It is NOT making the world safer. It is destabilizing the region - in particular Pakistan with a Muslim population of 170 million which also possesses 100 nuclear weapons. THERE IS NO MILITARY VICTORY TO BE HAD FOR THE U.S. & NATO IN AFGHANISTAN. Afghanistan is known as the graveyard of empires. It was so for Alexander the Great, for the British, for the Soviets & it will be so for United States. The only way to end the violence in Afghanistan is for there to be a political settlement & for foreign troops to leave. Average Afghans despise the corrupt govt of Hamid Karzai every bit as much as they detest the Taliban. U.S. OUT OF AFGHANISTAN NOW!
Twice in the last century we came to the European's defense and liberations. Now that we need some help, they turn a cold shoulder. The help we need is not just for the defense of America, it very much includes their own sorry butts. As an EXpat of western Europe there are times when I am ashamed of my heritage.
Oh come on Chronicle, surely there is something you can criticize about President Obama's wildly successful world tour. Is it because his visits have aligned with Masters Week that we and guests from around the world, many from Europe, visiting our little Southern CONServative community are spared the insane right wing rantings? Let's see what we get come Monday.
jrhc: The world's problems are just that- the WORLD'S problems. Why does the US never get support when we ask, but are expected to jump in the middle of someone elses fight. WWII is a good example- we went in at the very last possible moment when the US actually realized if we didn't the Germans would be overtaking it. Now we all know that Al-Queida (sp) has been there for a while; al though hindsight is always 20/20, thats where we should have been instead of Iraq.
Had we confined our mission to Afghanistan we wouldn't have alienated so many of our allies.
jhrc, you used to claim we were justified in going to Afghanistan after 9/11 while you were railing about Bush going into Iraq. Now that Obama is concentrating attention there again, you've changed your mind?
United States was justified & still is justified in going after the perpetrators of 9/11 & other acts of terror against this country & its assets. We were justified in overthrowing the Taliban regime for harboring Al Qaeda while en route (in hot pursuit) to capture and/or kill the leaders of Al Qaeda. Unites States is NOT JUSTIFIED in occupying Afghanistan & waging war there for 8 years. I have publicly opposed the U.S. mission in Iraq since Oct 2005 & privately before that when it became apparent the U.S. goal was to hegemonize Afghanistan, the entire Middle East & south Asia. Terrorists do not pose an existential threat to this country. It is a nagging problem, but one which can be managed without declaring wars on whole nations, regions, ethnic groups, or religions. U.S. military tactics & attempts to dominate the Middle East, South Asia, Arabs & Muslims are counterproductive & lead to backlash & hatred of this country. Hopefully Obama will be able to change that perception but not by escalating U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan or missile strikes in Pakistan. Obama must focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict & on better U.S. relations with the Arab/Muslim world.
"hegemonize," is that a word like "strategery"? Thanks for your explanation.
someone please explain to me how alqaeda is involved in 911? if binladen is financing and running this group, then why is 911 not on his fbi poster?the fbi says it cannot prove he was involved, which means you can't prove alqaeda was involved either,hello! also the fbi claims that the "believed" hijackers were from saudia arabia, how come the us never pressed them to the wall? oil baby! believe me folks alqaeda had nothing to with 911 but they love being phony martyrers.you've made these losers heroes in their countries.
Good lord elliottness...give it a rest. Your conspiracy theory lunacy is just nonsense. Any rational human being can see it. If the US conjured up 911 as a reason to go to war...why on Earth didn't WE make the hijackers Iraqi? Wouldn't that have made things easier. Study up on Occam's Razor. It would make your life easier.
Don't drink the water....it has mind altering placebos added by the shadowy 911 figures. I think I saw OBL on a Hanna Montana poster but it might have be Billy Ray & Martyrers
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