World Security Network reporting from Sigmaringen, Germany, January 18, 2010

U.S. President Barack Obama: "What is on the score card one year later ?" On January 20 2009, the inauguration of the new President was an emotional celebration. Hundreds of thousands attended on the streets of Washington D.C. and billions of TV viewers around the globe watched euphorically, optimistically joining the feeling that a new era had begun. Hope, optimism and high expectations of a safer and better world were concentrated on one man and his family. So what is on the score card one year later? One impact is certain: the election of the first African-American President has already changed the image of the United States drastically. This effect has been generated by the President's public appearances in so-called "Town Hall Meetings" and by speeches carefully tuned to various audiences, like his speech on television addressing the people of Iran and his Cairo speech addressing the Muslim world. His Nobel Peace Prize was a result of his reach-out politics. On the other hand, there are critics who ask whether or not Obama relies too much 'soft' power. However, they miss the balance with 'hard' power - the second pillar of smart politics. Obama's critics are wrong to blame him for addressing all important domestic and foreign issues at once. In a globalized and interwoven world there is an urgent need for simultaneous political efforts. There is no way to isolate one issue and take time out for the rest. .....more.. www.worldsecuritynetwork.com