World Opinon: An Obama Presidency: NPR

International Support For Obama's Presidency

NPR.org, Nov. 5, 2008 · Barack Obama was elected U.S. president Tuesday, beating rival John McCain. Commentary from around the world is largely supportive of the president-elect, even as he takes on the challenge of two wars and a flagging international economy.

TEL AVIV

U.S. Election Is Example Of Democracy At Its Best

Haaretz

Nov. 5, 2008

The excitement generated by the leading candidate, Obama, both in his own country and worldwide, is also nothing to sneeze at. It has been a long time since any politician managed to draw such massive crowds. That is good news not only for America and Americans, but also for politics and politicians in every country where people have despaired of them.

PERTH

What Barack Obama's Election Means For Australia

By Sandra O'Malley

The Sunday Times

Nov. 5, 2008

Closer to home, Australia will want to be reassured the new administration plans to continue America's long-term engagement in the Asia-Pacific. ... But political pundits warn Australia will face a competitive field trying to get the new U.S. president to listen to its foreign policy priorities.

HONG KONG

Now It's 'Cool America'

By Kent Ewing

Asia Times

Nov. 5, 2008

The Obama victory parties are now sweeping over Asia and spanning the world — and the interesting thing is that it's not just overseas Americans who are celebrating. Indeed, in many places it is non-Americans who are leading out. Arguably, for the first time, we have a president of the world.

NAIROBI

Why Africa Should Not Ask Anything More Of Obama

by Charles Onyango-Obbo

Daily Nation

Nov. 5, 2008

'[Obama] has already given us the best thing he can — inspiration. It is the only thing that can endure for Africa from his historic victory.' So … Africa should not ask anything more of Obama. He has already given her continent more than there is to give.

HAMBURG

'America Has Rediscovered Its Political Calling'

By Suddeutsche Zeitung

Der Spiegel

Nov. 5, 2008

The country will wake up in the morning of Nov. 5 in the certainty that it has renewed itself, that it has achieved what must be the most radical political about-turn in it recent history, and that it has done so of its own accord.

LONDON

Hegemony With A Happy Face

By Simon Tisdall

The Guardian

Nov. 5, 2008

There is another reason to keep one's feet on the ground when it comes to changes in U.S. foreign policy under Obama. Given the daunting domestic agenda that he inherits, and the lengthy complexities of the transition, it may be many months before Obama and his still-unappointed team get the chance to apply themselves seriously to the biggest challenges he has outlined. For a while now, the U.S. will be treading water.

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