Challenges Abound For Obama Abroad

(Photo by Dean Hoffmeyer / Richmond Times-Dispatch, via AP)

From The Washington Times:

Russia, G-8, Africa on itinerary.

Over the next week, President Obama will be trying to put to bed the Cold War in Russia, rewrite the rules for international finance in Italy and reassure developing countries they retain his attention in Ghana.

Three countries, three very different audiences.

Mr. Obama will try to set a framework with Russia for nuclear arms reductions and seek Russian help in negotiating with Iran and North Korea, meet in Italy with leaders of about 40 countries to talk about finances, global warming and food security, and cap it off with a speech in Ghana delineating how developing countries fit into geopolitics.

Read more ....

My Comment: My prediction .... some agreement on nuclear reductions with Russia .... but nothing significant. The G8 meeting will be a wash. Countries are fearful of protectionism, and the U.S. is coming into these talk with record deficits for the next few years. Germany, France, Russia, and China have already voiced their concern and displeasure over these trends. Expect these concerns to be raised again (in private).

Africa .... it is the countries that he is avoiding which is receiving the most play. Why Ghana? Why not Nigeria .... or even Kenya. The Western Press will still go "gaga" over this event, but African's are going to be mute. Do not forget .... in terms of hard currency .... it was President Bush who has given the more in assistance to Africa than any other previous Presidents, and the Africans know this. Unless President Obama comes with cash .... Africa will look at at this Presidential trip as just another excuse to have a speech.

These are my predictions .... so next week (same time and same place) I will review how totally wrong (or right) that I have been. It should be fun.