Obama inherited an America bogged down by two bad wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, started by the Bush administration, which had proved to be a huge drain on resources. In 2008, when Obama was elected to lead the country and in January 2009, when he took office, financial crisis, second only to Great Depression of 1929, and a result of the thoughtless corporate greed that pretty much defined Wall Street money-making, had crippled the US economy. Millions lost their jobs, houses were taken back, banks shut down, while US soldiers kept dying in needless wars abroad.

When Obama was elected on a strong anti-incumbency tide, his goals were pretty clear. To reset the economy, end the two wars, provide accessible medical care to the people, to reinvigorate the education and pension sectors, to control immigration but treat immigrants with dignity. All in all, Obama was seen as the beacon of hope that he helped rekindle amongst the American multitude. However, the world also started having steep expectations from the first African-American president of United States, who had had a peripatetic childhood, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, raised in Indonesia and Hawaii, and who had come to America to study, attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, Columbia University in New York City and eventually Harvard Law School.

The story of Barack Obama is the story of millions of people around the world who look to America with aspirations in their eyes. Between Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney lies the chasm that exists between the natural and the naturalized, the American-born son of plenty and privilege and the child of rupture and multiple roots and affiliations, who had to work hard and rise from moderate means. Barack Obama is loved by the world because he’s indeed the living embodiment of ‘the audacity of hope.’

Of course, Obama’s foreign policy record has had its share of hiccups: it has been far from impeccable. But he began well, especially with the Cairo speech in June 2009, in which he said he sought a ‘new beginning’ with the Muslim world. He tried to negotiate with Iran and be less partial towards Israel, enraging many in his own government. The protracted war in Iraq finally came to an end in August 2010, while troops were surged in Afghanistan in 2009, there’s promise that even that should be wrapped up by 2014. His men went after Osama Bin Laden quietly and managed to nab the most wanted terrorist on May 2, 2011. But, Obama could not extricate himself from the Middle East as yet. Because the Arab Spring happened and no expert or political pundit had predicted it.

As civil rebellion spread from Tunisia to Egypt, Libya and Syria in the first months of 2010, the idealist in Obama wanted to support the people, but the realist in him was cautious, along with the rest of the American government. But then, in January 2010, the Tunisian president Ben Ali fled the country and that signaled real change. Dealing with Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak proved to be difficult, but after a month of dilly-dallying, Obama, aided by Hillary Clinton, saw to the stepping down of the Egyptian president who had ruled his country for three decades with an iron fist. Celebrations erupted in Egypt’s Tahrir Square.

Libya, under Muammar Gaddafi, proved a bloodier and longer battle, which at last ended with the dictator being killed. Democracy came to the Middle East when America, under Obama administration, stopped forcing democracy down their throat and abandoned the Bush-era ‘freedom agenda.’ Of course, Syria still continues to be a site of struggle as Assad refuses to surrender, and the American president and his Republican challenger are divided over whether to arm the rebels with heavy artillery or not.

It is true that Arab Spring reconfigured Obama’s foreign policy. The 44th American President wanted to wrap up the long unfinished business in Middle East and concentrate on East Asia and China, improving diplomatic relationships and increasing bilateral and multilateral trade with the latter. But the contingencies in North Africa not only made it harder for him to complete his job, but also gave Obama a chance to project himself as a peacenik vis-à-vis the Middle East, thus redefining American relationship with the sensitive region. It proved to be an ameliorating effect after the trauma inflicted by the previous American regime.

What about other countries, such as China, Russia, India, Latin America, Cuba, Canada, Australia and Europe in general? China is a bone of contention with its aggressive economic growth, but Romney’s intention of calling it a ‘currency manipulator’ might set back US-China relationship to decades. Obama has a measured approach to both China and Russia, while with India, Obama has shown an undiluted and genuine affection, and even supported the inclusion of India in the United Nations Security Council. While many in India see him as someone who’s out to cut back jobs in America for Indians, Obama has clarified that he intends to get the manufacturing jobs back in the US, while India specializes in service jobs, especially in IT.

Obama administration has thawed diplomatic relations with Cuba, especially with the easier provision for Cubans to visit USA now, though the embargo hasn’t been lifted still. Emergent Latin America, especially Brazil, understands that the world is a safer place with Obama in White House, because the President doesn’t believe in a global hierarchy that installs America at the top, but appreciates a post-Cold War multipolar world of global cooperation. Also, with the centrist ideology of Democrats in place, along with much of Europe, Canada and Australia can step up international coordination with USA, which is no more seen as a Big Brother, but a world force led by a statesman.

Harvard academic Theda Skocpol believes that the November 6 election is one of the most important in US history. It is a choice between two different visions of America — that between either the reinforcement or the rejection of the reformist Democratic government, which has prevented America from hurtling down the valley of no return. The Republicans, fired up by the Tea Party from behind, are the potent mix of far more severe tax cuts and spending cuts, who would overturn several of Obama’s best achievements such as health and pension reforms. But all in all, Republicans have no idea how to deal with 21st century American concerns that are inextricably tied to the world at large. The “investment in people,” says Skocpol, is the building block to recreate an America that harks back to the ideals of the founding fathers. And it is going to be an America that is in step with the rest of the world, as a part of it, not gloating in its long over role as a mean supervisor with a ghastly stick in the form of a dreaded military power. Let’s hope that America understands this and chooses wisely. (IPA Service)