International Community Elects Obama, But Not by Much

UNITED STATES – He has everything you need: He is handsome, he is young, and he is the hope of the American people. The new president is the perfect rival to arouse the Old World’s jealousy.

Watch out for the hangover. The international community has never expected much of an incoming American president. But though Barack’s election blows a wind of hope around the world, the reconfirmation of the United States’ position on the international scene may be an issue to some.

He emphasized it in his inaugural speech at the capitol. Barack Obama wants to restore the image of U.S. diplomacy and bring the United States’s leadership up-to-date; an ambitious project which is already subject to criticism. Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has not hesitated to express his doubts, saying, “the greatest disappointments are born great hopes.”

“It is clear that some leaders have taken advantage of the power vacuum during George W. Bush’s last six months,” said Barthelemy Courmont, author of “United States: Challenges for Obama.”

“He is therefore a concern for those people,” he says.

Sarkozy-Obama: Two Super-Presidents

In fact, given the new momentum that Obama wants to inject to the United States, some mega-players on the international scene, including Nicolas Sarkozy, may be relegated to the second division.

A few minutes after Obama sworn in, the Elysee released a message in which Nicolas Sarkozy sent his “best wishes for a lot of success,” saying he was “resolved to work hand in hand” with the United States to “face together the greatest challenges” of the world.

The same message cam from the Quai d’ Orsay, where Bernard Kouchner emphasized Tuesday that “France and Europe will continue to play their role.” If Barack Obama arouses admiration, his charisma is scary. “Nicolas Sarkozy was right to take advantage of the absence of Bush on the international scene, but the United States is back in force,” said Barthelemy Courmont. And “Obama could put Sarkozy back in his place,” said Jacques Portes, author of “Barack Obama: A Turning Point for America.”

Afghanistan, Car Industries, the Environment: All Matters of Contention

In addition to relations with France, relations with the European Union may be impacted. The priorities of the U.S. president are not the same as those of the Union. In addition to the financial crisis, Barack Obama has to quickly manage the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Discord with the E.U. will certainly be felt in the month of April at the NATO summit to be held in Strasbourg. “Obama will probably ask the E.U. for help to reinforce the troops in Afghanistan, but not all 27 members have the same opinion on this particular case,” said Barthelemy Courmont.

 

Another issue likely to cause discord: the economy. The financial crisis has affected the car industry, which has high expectations for Obama. “Obama might take a protectionist attitude to revive the economy,” says Barthelemy Courmont, “an attitude which Germany will not approve, if Obama breaks the WTO’s rules.”

German chancellor Angela Merkel has already stated she would like cooperation based on “mutual understanding,” saying, “one country by itself cannot resolve the world’s problems,” even if the United States is “the key” to overcome the financial crisis.

Regarding environmental issues, the same difficulties arise. The European Union, a forerunner in this area, could soon begin to object. According to Courmont, “Obama wants to put an energy policy in place to break its dependency on gas.” It is therefore not an environmental policy that Europe would like.

Obama Remains Principal American

Who will have the last word? The question today is whether the international scene will have enough room to accommodate two leading roles. “There is a real need for the United States on the international scene because they are the only power capable of influencing issues like Iran or Israel-Palestine,” says Jacques Portes. The “world’s policeman” will have the whole position to himself.

In addition to the European leaders’ concerns, Obama might disappoint the European people. The election of a Democrat to the presidency raised hopes of seeing the United States change, and maybe Europeanize itself on some social issues. But as Barthelemy Courmont notes, “conservatism did not disappear in the United States.” Even if Obama advocates dialogue with his counterparts, he is still American. Certainly, he seems willing to discuss where G. W. Bush made unilateral decisions, but he wishes to remain the main interlocutor.

But which president is better for the E.U.? The worst scenario was that of George Bush’s first administration with its absence of dialogue. The “least worst” was Bush’s second administration “with an absent president,” argues Courmount. “But today we are back in the Clinton days with a powerful U.S.” According to the expert, “for the moment, there is no place for two superpowers.”