This report in The New York Times demonstrates why President Obama’s trip this week to the G20 Summit in London, the NATO Summit in Strasbourg, and the EU Summit in Prague will be fraught with difficulties and not at all like his campaign trip to Europe when he was the center of adulation and praise. The report notes that Obama will be challenged to demonstrate U.S. confidence and leadership at a time when that leadership has been called into question. International economic stimulus spending, troops for Afghanistan, weapons proliferation and missile defense will top his agenda. President Obama will conclude his European trip with a stop in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country and member of NATO that hopes in time to become a member of the EU. Obama is expected to reiterate U.S. support for Turkish membership in the EU.
