Judge Jeanine Pirro - What The GOP Victory Mean For Obama #39;s Foreign Policy? - New Power Grid Danger
Judge Jeanine Pirro - What Does The GOP Victory Mean For President Obama #39;s Foreign Policy? A New Danger To The Power Grid =========================================== **Please ...
By: NSTP - Wake The Hell Up America!
The Obama Conundrum, "To Drink, or Not To Drink with Mitch McConnell."
In 2013 Barack Obama seemed very annoyed and maybe even angry at the thought of sitting down over a drink with Mitch McConnell...but what a difference a year can make to the core values of...
By: Michael J. Bower
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The Obama Conundrum, "To Drink, or Not To Drink with Mitch McConnell." - Video
FILE: Nov. 5, 2014: President Obama at a news conference in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, D.C.(AP)
With President Obama's influence at home fading, he is looking abroad to China, the opening stop of a three-country trip that will test his ability to play a commanding global role during his final two years in office.
Once Obama was treated like a superstar on the world stage. But the president will arrive in Beijing on Monday under far different conditions, with his most powerful days behind him.
At home, Republicans are still rejoicing at having pummeled Obama's party in the midterm elections, relegating Democrats to the minority in both chambers of Congress. His counterparts in Asia surely have noticed.
The trip also marks one of Obama's final chances to deliver on his goal to amplify America's influence in Asia and the Pacific. In China, Myanmar and Australia, leaders may render a judgment on whether Obama's lofty ambitions in the region have been sidetracked by crises in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
"This is going to be a tough trip for the president," said Ernest Bower, an Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He said Asian leaders were viewing Obama's visit with this question in mind: Who is the president after the midterm elections?
"They'll be trying to discern whether he has the commitment and political capital to follow through," Bower said.
Even before the election, Obama's commitment to the region and his ability to boost U.S. clout there was in doubt in many capitals. U.S. allies such as Japan and South Korea have pressed for a greater American presence, partly to counter China's growing influence. Yet Obama's mission against the Islamic State group and his government's Ebola response have diverted U.S. military and financial resources elsewhere.
"The president remains deeply committed to his Asia rebalancing strategy, and its implementation will remain a top priority throughout the second term," said his national security adviser, Susan Rice.
During his three days in China, Obama planned to give a speech about U.S. ties to Asia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and meet with President Xi Jinping.
Excerpt from:
OBAMA IN ASIA Trip tests president's post-midterm global clout
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Hong Kong (CNN) -- After his party's drubbing in the midterm elections, President Barack Obama will wade into a mass of foreign policy challenges during his trip to Asia this week.
Obama made America's pivot to Asia a centerpiece of his foreign policy architecture. But some commentators say the President, beset by crises elsewhere, has failed to put words into action.
"The Asia pivot remains more rhetoric than reality," said CNN's Fareed Zakaria. "Having promised a larger U.S. military presence in the Philippines, Singapore and Australia, there is little evidence of any of this on the ground."
Obama's first stop on his trip takes him to Beijing, where the greater U.S. focus on Asia is viewed with deep suspicion.
"Two prevailing sentiments -- perceived U.S.-led containment of China and the threat posed to America by China's growing economic and military strength -- have set the two major powers on a confrontational course," said Cheng Li, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Obama is in Beijing from Monday for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, but he will also hold direct meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where sensitive issues like cybersecurity will be on the agenda.
"To put this crucial bilateral relationship back on track, President Obama and President Xi must use the summit in Beijing to deepen mutual understanding and publicly challenge these misperceptions," Li said in comments published by Brookings.
Myanmar reforms 'sliding backwards'
After China, Obama will travel to Myanmar, a country where, two years ago, he became the first sitting U.S. President to visit. There was much fanfare then about the introduction of political reforms after decades of oppressive military rule.
Excerpt from:
Obama faces challenges on Asia trip
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Hong Kong (CNN) -- After his party's drubbing in the midterm elections, President Barack Obama will wade into a mass of foreign policy challenges during his trip to Asia this week.
Obama made America's pivot to Asia a centerpiece of his foreign policy architecture. But some commentators say the President, beset by crises elsewhere, has failed to put words into action.
"The Asia pivot remains more rhetoric than reality," said CNN's Fareed Zakaria. "Having promised a larger U.S. military presence in the Philippines, Singapore and Australia, there is little evidence of any of this on the ground."
Obama's first stop on his trip takes him to Beijing, where the greater U.S. focus on Asia is viewed with deep suspicion.
"Two prevailing sentiments -- perceived U.S.-led containment of China and the threat posed to America by China's growing economic and military strength -- have set the two major powers on a confrontational course," said Cheng Li, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Obama is in Beijing from Monday for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, but he will also hold direct meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where sensitive issues like cybersecurity will be on the agenda.
"To put this crucial bilateral relationship back on track, President Obama and President Xi must use the summit in Beijing to deepen mutual understanding and publicly challenge these misperceptions," Li said in comments published by Brookings.
Myanmar reforms 'sliding backwards'
After China, Obama will travel to Myanmar, a country where, two years ago, he became the first sitting U.S. President to visit. There was much fanfare then about the introduction of political reforms after decades of oppressive military rule.
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Obama kicks off Asia trip