For President-elect Barack Obama, the Urgent Demands of a Perilous World
There will be moments, in the years to come, when Barack Obama will feel the weight of the world like no one else. And as this tumultuous first decade of the 21st century winds down—a decade seemingly bracketed by the horror of September 11 and an international financial meltdown—it has to be said: What a weight it is.
America's recession and its deepening problems in joblessness, healthcare, infrastructure, and so on might in the past have invited a period of national introspection, of singular focus on fixing the ailments at home. Obama, however, will not have that option—not in an era in which opportunities, problems, and threats all have been globalized in ways once unthinkable.
Even the most experienced foreign policy veterans marvel at Obama's heavy load. "It's a pretty fearsome number of issues that the new president has to face," says former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft.
Beyond the global economic woes and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there's the ongoing fight against terrorists and the specter of new nuclear powers. Add to that climate change and energy vulnerabilities. Anti-Americanism, strained alliances, and new, rising powers. And those are just some of the main points.
Obama will benefit from a few Bush administration achievements. After a hazardous start with China, for example, relations have stabilized with the next country that is likely to gain superpower status. Ties to other key emerging countries—India and Brazil—have also progressed. In a rare turnabout, Libya abandoned its nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons programs. And a possible framework for a future Israeli-Palestinian peace has been erected.
Eroded goodwill. But surveyed broadly, the world Obama faces in 2009 looks a good deal more complicated and dangerous than what George Bush encountered in 2001, even taking into account the radical Islamist caldron then building toward an eruption on a brilliant, sunny day that September. The global goodwill that poured forth afterward, as well as the deference often accorded U.S. leadership since World War II, has since eroded. The first years of the 21st century have rattled the certainties of the last one. "Many presidents inherit headaches," says former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. "Barack Obama has inherited the whole emergency room."
The Obama years will play out across a changing geopolitical landscape. By many accounts, America's relative clout has diminished. Emerging or resurgent powers—especially China, Russia, India, and Brazil—are demanding a bigger role in decisions on finance, trade, and security. China may become the world's largest economy as soon as 2027. It will also be growing into a much bigger political and military player.
Russia has fallen into an acutely nationalistic mood. The Russian resentments include NATO's expansion eastward, U.S. and western support for anti-Russian movements in Georgia and Ukraine and Kosovo's independence, and moves to build missile defenses. Russian leaders greeted Obama's victory with a warning to the United States: Proceed with your missile shield planned for Poland and the Czech Republic, and Moscow will install missiles in a Russian enclave next door. Russia's regression toward autocracy and its opposition to key U.S. interests may be the biggest strategic setback since the end of the Cold War.
America will very likely remain the most influential global actor but by a thinning margin. "The United States' relative strength—even in the military realm—will decline and U.S. leverage will become more constrained," predicts the U.S. intelligence community in its "Global Trends 2025" report.
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I am BK. Chandrakant, dedicated member of Prajapita Brahma
Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mount Abu. I am doing GODLY Service
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8. Sweetness is the flavour of values
9. patience is the fortress of all values
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11. Courage is the heart of all values
12. LOve is the queen of all velues
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What is your opinion on GOD and his Duties. Do you believe in GOD
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BK.Chandrakant
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DR.DADI PAKASH MANI
ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF.THE BHRANMA KUUMARI,S
WORLD SPIRITUAL VIERSIY.MT.ABU RAJASTAN INDIA
FORHER OUTSANDING CONTRIBATION
HUMAN WELFARE GLOBAL PEACE
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What is your opinion on GOD and his Duties. Do you believe in GOD
and have you tried to know more about him. Just come down to Mount
Abu.
So we are inviting you to attend our campus. at your convenience. We
will be delighted to see you at Mount abu
MR GODWIN DANIEL
my name is mr Godwin daniel,
I am from Burkina faso west africa ouagadougou, really i love the hard work of mr barak obama,
below is my email for morn comminication
The world Obama inherits
Every US President comes into office faced with considerable problems -- THEY DO NOT INHERIT THESE, because they sought this position and if they did their homework, should know the existing conditions and come prepared to offer solutions. Obama mentions this "inherit" thing at every opportunity. Mr. Obama and his supporters should stop whining and complaining they inherited a mess.
World-wide goodwill was squandered because Congress and the American Press did nothing in the 8 years of the Bush administration but trash this country. According to them, America did nothing good to the world and caused every disaster to ever happen during Bush's tenure. They claim we cause Global warming, we caused the 9/11 attack, we lied about WMD, we tortured terrorists, we were breaking international law, etc... If I was a young adult in another country with limited access to alternative press and only got news from the mainstream american press, I would think America is the most evil country in the history of the world. And now? We have no less than the President of this GREAT country making these same irresponsible allegations and apologizing around the world as if we are actually guilty... Amazing!
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