Joe Conason: The World Prefers Obama’s America

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_world_prefers_obamas_america_20100421/

The World Prefers Obama’s America
Posted on Apr 21, 2010

White House / Pete Souza

President Obama shares a toast with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev.

By Joe Conason

snip//

At a time of global economic dislocation, much of which can fairly be blamed on American corporations and policies, such recuperation is remarkable. It is even more notable because world perceptions of China and Russia are simultaneously worsening. America did not always lag behind Europe in global popularity, as it does today. Our global economic and political influence remained stronger than that of any other country in history through the end of the Bill Clinton presidency, despite the tension, cynicism and often lethal stupidity of the Cold War era.

Following the Sept. 11 attacks, that traditional approval was bolstered by a wave of international sympathy, extending even to such traditional adversaries as Cuba and Iran. But the good will that could have been harnessed in service of our best purposes was simply wasted by the Bush administration, whose invasion of Iraq, use of torture and disregard for the rule of law inflicted grave damage on our reputation.

But why should any of this matter to Americans, who have long cultivated a reputation for disdaining world opinion? Why should we care about “soft power” or “smart power,” as such influence is known in foreign-policy jargon, when we still maintain the most powerful armed might ever known to humankind?

The answer is that we live in an increasingly interdependent world, where military force is almost never sufficient and often irrelevant to addressing the problems we confront. Whether seeking to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons and fissionable materials, erecting sanctions against the mullahs in Iran or reducing the effects of climate change, we will find that reputation is at least as important as raw power. Having squandered so much of our economic strength in mindless war and wasteful speculation, we must rely on lenders and customers in other countries to rebuild.

Obama knows he cannot reach any of his foreign-policy objectives without international cooperation. More important, he understands that the future of America’s children is connected inextricably with that of their generation around the world. Restoring a reciprocal esteem with the rest of humankind—a deep aspiration of this country’s founders—will benefit them for decades to come. He deserves great credit for the success he has achieved so far.

[Captain Hilts]

1. It's stunning how thoroughly GWBush pissed off the world. Whew! nt

[polichick]

2. Americans have always been fools for "disdaining world opinion" imo...

Being a bully is not something to be proud of.

[babylonsister]

4. Hopefully the people aware of this turnaround will be grateful.

Sadly, there are those who won't, the folks betting on/hoping for this admin's failure.

[Kahuna]

3. The whole world knows that bush was an election stealing freak and

that the repukes are out of control.

[Cha]

5. The World and us(the ones who realize

what a gift we have).

President Obama understands a LOT.

"Obama knows he cannot reach any of his foreign-policy objectives without international cooperation. More important, he understands that the future of America’s children is connected inextricably with that of their generation around the world. Restoring a reciprocal esteem with the rest of humankind—a deep aspiration of this country’s founders—will benefit them for decades to come. He deserves great credit for the success he has achieved so far."

HAPPY EARTH DAY!:bounce:

[political_Dem]

6. I just hope America realizes what an asset we have in Mr. Obama.

It seems that anything that Mr. Obama does just invites anger. :(

Change takes time. It is so sad that American society seems more impatient now than before.

But perhaps, internationally, the POTUS is treated a lot better than at home. The rest of the world knows that he's someone special. What's taking the United States so long?

[FrenchieCat]

7. Of course they don't. The American people have never been known

for being the sharpest knives in the drawer.