Obama's Europe Trip Offers Short-term Success, Long-term Uncertainty

Big FLASHING RED warning

When the American President is liked by "the world" better than he is by Americans, that should alert Americans that there is a problem. A little humility is fine but "apologizing" for the USA? One gets the impression that our favorite Jr Senator is still campaigning. What exactly for?

As far as making nice with our "former enemies", never appeal to a man's better nature, he may not have one. Better to appeal to his better interest instead. The USA has always "tried" to uphold some type of decent moral standard. Given the record of other countries, I'd rather WE continue to be the big dog on the block and Mr Obama certainly did not leave that impression.

Considering the continuing terrorist threat from nations and extremist groups, weakness is not in our best interest.

Did I miss something?

I saw this trip as a rallying call for War with Iran. Nuclear arms reduction has been talked about by ever president since...well...you know better than I do. Iraq was an expected stop - it doesn't demonstrate anything more than when Bush stopped there. Would you apply the same principle to the former president, "that the commander-in-chief is intensely committed to their mission and their welfare. And the Iraqis need to know that too"?

Obama's speech in Prague was the perfect example of what this trip was about: a long comparative history of two countries that have nothing to do with each other, a few moments spent on nuclear arms reduction, and then criticizing Iran for pursuing these weapons, stating, "Violations must be punished."

Analyze the entire trip from the stand point of only pursuing a war with Iran, tell me what you think.

It Will Take More Than One International Trip

I disagree that this trip will determine the president's diplomatic success.

How is it possible to fault the American president for other leaders' refusal to increase their economic stimulus activities?

You write: "If the global economy is up and growing, a year from now, it won't seem as important that Obama failed to get our European allies to commit to a more aggressive stimulus program."

Remember, the policies of bullying our allies are over. This is old thinking and it has gotten the US in deep trouble.

The President's success will come when he can transform the vary type of mindset that is illustrated in this opinion. Telling other nations what to do.

Short-term Success

Obama's first trip abroad as POTUS offers short-term success as his presence abroad helped restore a positive perception of America from countries that have had a negative opinion of the U.S. in the recent past.