UPDATE: Will you miss Obama? The outgoing US president claims that he delivered on his campaign promises of “hope” and “change” during his eight years in office. He believes that his administration helped stabilise the US economy, cutting unemployment to pre-2008 levels. In terms of foreign policy, the outgoing president points to agreements on climate change, a nuclear weapons deal with Iran, normalised relations with Cuba, and the death of Osama Bin Laden.
Critics, however, argue that US wages and economic growth have stagnated for the past 8 years. They point to numerous perceived foreign policy failings, including the rise of ISIS, the failure to establish credible “red lines” in Syria, and the chaos of post-revolutionary Libya. Meanwhile, North Korea’s nuclear programme continues to tick along, and Russia seems more concerned by the price of oil and gas than by the sanctions regime Obama helped put in place following the annexation of Crimea.
So, was the Obama administration a success? How do you think it will compare to the incoming administration of Donald Trump? And was Obama a good president from a European perspective? As ever, let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below!
ORIGINAL (13/07/2016): That’s (almost) all, folks! In November 2016, Americans will elect a new president to replace Barack Obama. After eight years, it will be time for historians to start pondering Obama’s legacy – from healthcare reforms, to detente with Iran and Cuba.
From a European perspective, it’s been something of a bumpy ride. It’s safe to say that the 2003 Iraq war had sorely tested transatlantic relations, and the European appetite for “Hope” and “Change” was enormous. Obamamania was at a fever pitch in Europe before Obama even assumed the mantle of president, with an estimated 200,000 people coming to hear him speak in Berlin during the 2008 election campaign.
However, stratospherically-high expectations inevitably gave way to disappointment. For his part, Obama seemed determined to de-emphasise America’s disproportionate focus on Europe (a relic of the Cold War), and expand US horizons to include the booming economies of Asia. He was to be America’s first ‘Pacific president’.
A series of crises, however, forced Obama to keep one eye on Europe at all times (usually installed on Angela Merkel’s iPhone). From the 2012 European debt crisis, to the Arab Spring and bombing campaign in Libya, to the Russian annexation of Crimea, there was always something going wrong in Europe or its neighbourhood. Amidst all this, US-Europe relations reached arguably their lowest point under Obama, thanks to the NSA spying scandal.
Ultimately, however, was Barack Obama a good US president from a European perspective? We had a comment from Andreea, who said he predicted Obama’s legacy would be seen as a broadly positive one in Europe. To get a reaction, we spoke to Keith Jacomine, Chair of the Democrats Abroad Austria. As a US citizen living in Europe, how would he rate Obama’s legacy on EU-US relations?
Well, I think President Obama has restored respect for the office of the US president abroad, and there have been many studies where President Obama’s popularity and respect have been judged throughout Europe and the world, and I think the majority of countries have shown that they have confidence in President Obama to do the right thing regarding world affairs. And I think he has instituted new policies and diplomacy, and he has changed the rhetoric of the American presidency in Europe and around the world, and I think his favourability ratings have gone up substantially because of it.
For another perspective, we also spoke to Renee Nielsen, Chair of the Republicans Abroad Netherlands. Would she be more critical? And did she see any key differences between the policies of Barack Obama and those of his predecessor, George W. Bush?
I would say that the policy under George W. Bush was to continue to have a strong relationship with Europe. Many European countries are NATO allies – we have the so-called ‘Special Relationship’ with the British, but all of our allies in Europe are very important. We have, for the most part, common interests and goals.
I do understand that the Iraq war caused strife between our two continents, and so in that context you can say that Barack Obama has had a stronger relationship with Europe in terms of public opinion. The actual policy differences are often more perceived than real, because some of them were the same: The rendition programme continued under Obama, and the drone programme was expanded under Obama.
So, the perception is that he’s been better for Europe, and the image of the United States has improved since Barrack Obama took office. But I would say that that has in part to do with the drum-beat of negativity surrounding the Iraq war under President Bush, and then the excitement for change. I think that, politically, especially in Western Europe, young people and the media have a more like-minded view with the Democrat Party than with the Republican Party, so – regardless of which president came in – as long as it was a Democrat it was going to improve relations between the Europe and the US.
Was Obama a good US president for Europe? Will Obama’s legacy be good for the EU-US relationship? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
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The Obama presidency has been good to the world though the game in Syria was a disaster.
No
Suficiente.
no, USA’s Irak, Syria wars, IS waging, and Ukrain coups are a real pain for Europe. ( but not for EU whose complicity is obvious)
Yep…to destroy it, just like american society! Obama’s politics is a total failure in all the world!
.
The Americans invented & financed the EU so everything Brussels does is in-line with the current American presidents mandate.
No !
Αλλος μπουρχαλος!
If he keeps his nose out, yes
No, he started the Ukrainian civil war.
NOOOOOO!
American want europe to start with russia an that will be the ending of europe its new world other
No
Is a joke or what? Worst president of ever for Europe
When Obama came to the office, I was optimistic like most of the people outside the US. Now, however, my perspective has changed completely. His presidency was a total failure for the world because of several reasons:
– His decision to rush to withdraw the troops from Iraq left a power vacuum whose consequence is the rise of the IS.
– He did not push to make any progress in the palestinian conflict
– He abused the threat of terrorism to promote and implement global ubiquitous surveillance, including spying on allies and friendly nation states. This practice is still beeing followed and even extended.
– Instead of jailing the responsible people that broke the law by allowing mass surveillance and lying in court and to congress he approved prosecution of whistleblowers and restrictions on press freedom about those issues.
– He approved extrajudicial killings through drones in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Those killings are still carried out.
– He promoted fracking which will cause local environmental damage and not help to stop global warming
– He did not push to declassify the investigation results around 9/11 (28 pages)
– The West in general demonizes Russia (pushed by the US) and supports efforts to militarize Eastern Europe. This could be a recipe to disaster.
– The US played a negative role in the conflict in Ukraine. Europe was forced by the US to impose sanctions on Russia, which harm European economies and will only bring Russia closer to China.
– European efforts to mitigate tensions in Ukraise are laughed at by the US (Victoria Newland: “fuck the EU”)
Absolutely good,soon eu will be desolved at last
Nicht wirklich!
Not 4 europe neither 4 América…
Ask the americans, no president that disgraces his country is any good for any other country or continent, whata stupid question, if people want to debate europe, they should render and reform the FMI and big banksters as too powerfull, burucratic, and a destroyer of nations sovereingns , a system that makes people poor and then tells them how good it is,a system designed to lock countries on debt and then use them in foreing wars that neither the american or the european wants, they rule europe throught economic terrorism (brussels) and its usseless to debate europe if it is to debate if the us presendency was good, what a joke, nothing will ever change for the better like this, this just shows how people are allienated from the political shepere, thats the work of controlled media.
A divisive Politician and President.
No good to Europe,no good to US,only good for certain people with a lot of power and money to become even more powerful and richer.Elites win short term but nobody knows the longterm consequences.We are heading towards reality which is widely expressed in the movie “Elyseum”.
NO…
Wrong idea.. .Europe don’t give two cents for the president.
Was wrong and bed impression from the beginning !!!
the USA has never been good for Europe….. it´s the revenge of the long-departed children :P
No,no ,no
NO
No
NO .. Does trying to needlessly trigger WW3 with Russia sound like a good idea ? How about the needless sanctions that have cost EU more than 100 BILLION in losses ? All Americas demands, that Europe suffer for.
Best president of THE us for THE entire world since years
KATASTROPHI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As bad as Bush
Of course not.
A big yes.
No.
if you like war and “democraty” arround the wold. not me
Yes definately .
Epic fail
Nope.
YES
~A big NO!
nope. Just wars & imperialism
No, it wasn’t! Obama was a decepcion!
He is a crack smoking phycopathic homosexual.
https://youtu.be/5Lrf8DbrJH0
No, you see it in the chart of the euro …
No US politician will support Europe more than the US
Are you guys kidding me?
He has been one the best presidents in my opinion. His posture is what makes him so united with everyone. He cant be perfect, no doubt about that but to be very honest he changed the perspective of many things including race, equality and freedom. As bad as bush? Spare me. Bush put his nose in businesses that werent up to him. I dont see how obama ” COINCIDENTLY ” had the the task force that killed osama bin laden. Im pretty sure he has one of the greatest impacts in my generation so to speak for a very long time. I love that man and i might not be living or working in the usa but i dont see a terrorist. I dont see malefic postures. Europe never really needs help from the usa. In fact europe is better than the us. They just dont get along and equalize the economic deficiency. Its an individual problem. Not the president’s problem. But thats just my opinion
A great public orator,but was held back politically by a republican congress who hated him for being liberal and frankly for being black.
As a non EU politician- I wouldn’t know. He comes across as a jolly good fellow- a charming salesman for American neo con globalist policies, with its well known aims. Leading, overseeing & in cahoots with all willing lackeys in the Brussels EU.
A transformed Uncle Sam today, than the one after WWII- who sponsored peanut butter, instead of corporate & military globalism- abolishing outdated populist democracy in the process- while preaching democracy & human rights! His last sin- he tried to influence Brexit- but failed! Yes, good for one (1 western) world government!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR-RDqrHWQw
Not at all , bad legacy
Very bad!!
Obomber and the NATO tool of the U.S. has been jabbing a stick at the Russian Bear, which cannot end well.
Backing Gorge Soros “business”, I would say he was a disappointment.
Imperialista yankee!!!!!!
No way
I vrahům je do smíchu
RESPEKT
No! Obama was interested in developing the commercial relashionship with the western Pacific countries, rather than european countries. Americans are not interested in strong europe and strong euro coin; they need to protect their coin and their economy.
It is not possible a USA President be good for Europe. The americans try to be good for themselves and most of the times aren’t.
Like below
Why should it? Anyone expected it to be?
Good. Most europeans would vote Democrate if they would vote in the US. Obama is someone that builds bridges with others, in other words a much more constructive attitude. I believe that matters in politics.
No
I think he is one of the best presidents..regarding the relationship with Europe and as well as for the USA.
No
Libya, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine. Death, Destruction, Refugees. Isis. He was a good president for the Kalergi Planners and Soros, but I suspect not quite good enough for the armament fellowship of the Kagans/Nulands, Brezinskys, Clintons and McCains.
Whatever you think and whoever wins next… winter is coming
No
Giving money to terrorists, I guess the answer would be NO.
No
I think he has been a great president and has made a lot of friends for America with his policies.
I think he does. Europe is pro Muslims and pro islam.
F.OFF LIKE FOFI
Was it good for anyone?
No he is the worst US president ever!
I think he was one of the best presidents of the last 20 years
No and Hitlery Clinton will be worse.If Hitlery becomes president of USA expect new wars… (AIPAC told her so)
You can simply see it: EU is at the edge of downfall economically and politically, Germany is flooded with millions of islam young men, France and Belgium experience terrors frequently, war everywhere in middle east. All are Obama’s legacy, so what would you say? Even USAmerica is divided.
Yes President Obama it was good for europe al my congratulations President Obama
EEUU país terrorista..
simply …. NO !
You think McCain and Palin would have been the better option for the world and likewise for Europe?
Armis go home pls . We don’t need your war games around the word
No…
If G.W. Bushes policy was a deep valley than Obama’s, though moderate, could be seen as a topper :-)
definitely NO NO NO
No us president has ever been good for Europe !
The world is fucking collapsing! How can you even ask that question?!
Who is good for !!!!!!!!
Obama is a american hero…
Obama is a american hero…
Vai ficar para a história como um reles criminoso….um traidor há américa e ao mundo….
obama’s presidency IS good for europe and for america, of course, because he IS a very good president ! I will miss him after november ! unfortunately, he can no longer be elected. I wish he was the prseident of france (we have no good politicians here !) hilllary clinton will NEVER replace him, despite I am obliged to wish her to be elected .(because otherwse, it WOULD be donald trump , oh no !!! )
Christiane Charrier obama’s presidency IS good for europe and for america, of course, because he IS a very good president ! I will miss him after november ! unfortunately, he can no longer be elected. I wish he was the prseident of france (we have no good politicians here !) hilllary clinton will NEVER replace him, despite I am obliged to wish her to be elected .(because otherwse, it WOULD be donald trump , oh no !!! )
ΚΑΛΗΜΈΡΑ ΦΊΛΟΙ ΜΟΥ
Best presidency for Europe since F. Roosevelt, although it contributed to the (hopefully temporary) destabilization of the European neighbourhood.
Obama + NATO = war in Europe.
No
Installing a missile shield in Eastern Europe, backing neo-nazis in Ukraine, destabilizing Syria, destroying Libya and turning it into a failed state, is this how he helped Europe?!?
non
Oiga sr Obama. En mi pueblo,
Podemos ser aliados suyos o no.
Pero de tramp, ni uno me salió. Años luz.
NO NO NO
Horse would make a cat laugh…..Obama has been good for his US , and I don,t care about it, as far as Europe is concerned – disaster….it isn,t necessary to add: total….
NO !!
Ναι
Yeeeesss!!! We will miss Obama in future :( …
Simply NO
He betrayed NATO
And got UN
I don’t think so
US presidencys are never good for Europe
NO!
A warmonger who once said that USA is the only indispensable nation in the world… If someone thinks that European and all other nations are dispensable, then how can he be good for anyone?
It`s been devastating.
NO NO NO
Absolutely no.He has hit EU interests in many ways.Especially guide it to unfounded emnity with the biggest european country Ruassia and created conditions to exit the biggest EU country G.Britain from the EU.
.
It is only because of American ICBM’s the EU is not under Russian control so don’t knock it.
A disaster.
US foreign policy has been a disaster for Europe in the last ~20 years.
Ps: For the rest of the world, too.
No. Economic and political disaster
This question is a joke right? His presidency has only been good for his bank account and his cronies. As well as Islamist getting into US government. The rest? A complete disaster from A to Z. And only a fool can be blind to it.
YES ! The best US president ever . He is liberal ! EU right can’t receive Obama’s support.
war and more war in middle east, Ukrainian coup, refugees fleeing to Europe, what a wonderfull presidency ! a Nobel peace prize my dear …
His Admin start a war in Europe (Ukraine) against Russia and its consequences are still unpredictable. Basically his stategy is to spark conflicts among European nations and he’s succeding.
No. It was a (very) good administration for US, a poor one for Asia/Pacific and a bad one for Europe and M East.
Terable
Interesting…his actions have managed to take terrorism from a small and centralised location and spread it all over the world….so I’d say no. I could be wrong of course…why don’t we go ask some of the people in Paris, or Nice, or Tunisia, or Berlin, or Copenhagen, or Stuttgart, or Hamburg, or Stockholm.
No.
No
Good for saudi arabia.
Europe must forget usa.
American Presidency is never good for Europe…
they are only good for Israel and multinational corps
He’s been a huge disappointment. I believe initially he had good intentions, but has let himself become a puppet to the war hawks – both republicans and democrats (Hillary, McCain etc).
Chi finanzia una elezione ? Segui chi finanzia e vedi di comanda .
who finances an election? Follow those who finance and see who’s boss.
No. europe should do Sthing to be really well protected and it z not america who will do this. Hé créâtes war around us and All over over thé world. Clinton or trump it Will be worser.
Who cares…he´s not the president of Europe…We have to see our problems and, try to solve them…how do you still get to ask a question of these!!!!
well, good question
yES.
Insofar as we did not have to worry too much about irrational and warmonging behaviour from our old ally, it was a real blessing! As a plus he makes inspiring speeches, while I can’t really think of anyone in the EU delivering that lately.
American president only see there interest
It’s apparent that President Obama was pro Europe and European Union. He is a liberal socialist leaning advocate which parallels with the beliefs of the EU. He recognized the importance of the experiment of a political, social and economic integrated Europe.
Says it all really ^^^
No way! George Thomson said it more then clear!!!
No he hasn’t been good for Europe ,he’s not even been good for his own country.
It was a disaster for Europe.
Obama, can you spend 8 years doing crap? He started the war in Syria, caused chaos in Lybia and so on. That was american style. But on the other hand, doubled the domestic debt. That is the European style. He was the worst of each style.
interesting question
No
Fuck O(sa)bama! :)
Just to you understand how Obama is so bad as president. When he leaves goes Trump.
He was the suppose “change” but what he did? Destroy the avanced country in Africa, continue with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, last but no for lest now bomb Syria, Yemen. The last one going trow a difficult humanitarian situation thanx to Arab Saudi.
All that without speaking of Israel and the military aids
Well, the rise of terrorism, alone in 2016, approximantely 21,231 bomb have been dropped in some countries, and so on. I do not think it was a successful president. Hope so, Trump is not going to do the same.
He was a puppet of Israel
puppet for islam more like
oh boy. you did not just say, did you? :-D
A problem. Arab spring, created a two chaotic fronts in the borders of Europe (Ukraine and North Africa), and leaves without a solution…
Um..wait..Obama created the Ukraine crisis?
Of course not. Nor the arab spring. “the people” did it.
I find it astonishing how “The people” in the U.S.A. have no understanding of politics and the concept of power division, raising the post of the president to an omnipotent level, somehow believing that a single person can start or end worldwide issues.
God no. He allowed Russia to walk all over us.
It was a disaster.
It’s interesting to compare how Americans are concentrating on his so called “class” on fb, while Europeans judge the actual actions. To sum it up – he was a person of great wit and very poor judgement.
I can’t forgive him the Ukraine.
No
Obama´s presidency or legacy, means Donald Trump?
Obama´s presidency or legacy, means Donald Trump?
At least no corruption, no scandal, no impeachment
That depends: If you feel bothered by terrorist attacks or not…
No.
No.
No
Absolutely NOT!
8 years of wars for profit on our borders resulting on major migration crisis, coups, putschs, in Middle East and central Europe, and so on, as usual, Obama’s presidency is just the same as Bush presidency, a disaster for the world in order to have the “deep state” few ultra-wealthy richer and the world domination monopoly for their military-industrial complex. What else ?
Well EU is still standing isn’t it? Guess now… hohoho…
Are you joking? US is invading Europe…Are we supposed to thank him? Which european country has Russia being agressive to? Am I missing something here? Bah…! Leave our children out of this, yankees! Pick up your “toys” and GO HOME! Murderers!!!
american presidency are never good for EU… probably now EU can get united and, face USA for good…
No. We are paying for American acid debt. Ukraine have lost territory, Georgia too, and we have more than 2,5 millions of refugees in Europe. neither America nor its presidents are good for Europe.
Of course not! That’s a no!
Was the EU politics good for the US?