German Magazine Says Obama 'Nice Guy Act' Is Failing on World Stage

An article in the German newsweekly Der Spiegel ("The Mirror") reviews President Obama's recent trip to Asia and concludes that the tone of his foreign policy, which the magazine calls his "nice guy act," is proving ineffective on the world state. Japan pulled out of its agreement to assist with refueling U.S. warships bound for Afghanistan, China made no concessions whatsoever, and Israel has dictated the terms under which it will particpate in peace talks.

"Upon taking office, Obama said that he wanted to listen to the world, promising respect instead of arrogance," Spiegel writes. "But Obama's currency isn't as strong as he had believed. Everyone wants respect, but hardly anyone is willing to pay for it. Interests, not emotions, dominate the world of realpolitik. The Asia trip revealed the limits of Washington's new foreign policy: Although Obama did not lose face in China and Japan, he did appear to have lost some of his initial stature."

The article quotes Newt Gingrich comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter, and suggests that Obama will have to adopt some of Bush's tough talk if he expects foreign nations to negotiate with him.

"There are many indications that the man in charge at the White House will take a tougher stance in the future. Obama's advisors fear a comparison with former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, even more than with Bush. Prominent Republicans have already tried to liken Obama to the humanitarian from Georgia, who lost in his bid to win a second term, because voters felt that he was too soft."