A Swiss View of the USA

A Swiss View of Obama

This one centres on an article in today's Neue Züricher Zeitung, the premier Sunday German language newspaper in Switzerland to which I subscribe and read with my Sunday morning breakfast at a local Café. The article today deals with Obama's first year in office with an assessment of his performance in various sectors where he promised "Change". I should point out that the newspaper, the NZZ, like most European media was harshly critical of Bush and welcomed Obama with open arms. Now, a year later, the ardour has cooled considerably and criticism of Obama throughout Europe has mounted.

Herewith the NZZ analysis of Obama's polices and what he has achieved with respect to the following issues:

The Economy and Employment in the US: Obama claims two million jobs were saved with the stimulus package, a number widely disputed, while unemployment in the US continues to rise.

Financial System: Despite bailouts and multi billion dollar handouts, banks have not relaxed credit and despite threats of reprisal by the Obama administration, the banks continue to award huge bonuses to executives

Healthcare: A health care package has been agreed but the cost of the programme remains unclear, and could further exacerbate the indebtedness of the US.

The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: Troops are being withdrawn from Iraq as promised but now, as many expected, unrest is once more on the increase. At the same time troop levels in Iraq are drawn down, the number of boots on the ground is being increased in Afghanistan, so there is no net gain and the war in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly unpopular in the US and seen by many as already lost.

The Middle East Peace Process: Failure. Obama has been unable to rein in the pro-Israeli Lobby in the US, and Netanyahu in Israel, nor stop construction of new settlements.

The Battle against Terrorism: The global terrorist networks continue to flourish and expand and the conundrum of closing Guantanamo is unresolved, the result of the latter being that initial goodwill toward Obama in the Arab world has all but evaporated.

Disarmament: Negotiations with Russia are dragging on with no resolution,

Climate: Obama's performance at Copenhagen was received with disappointment throughout Europe. They looked to him for leadership and got none.

As you see, the only issue on which the NZZ sees significant progress is Healthcare - everything else is is awarded a failing grade.

In addition, the front page headlines today on the NZZ read: "New Pressure on the Swiss Economy by the US". This stems from the threat of the US Treasury to impose a tax of $1 Billion per year on Swiss banks operating in the United States. The Swiss citizenry are justifiably angry.

This, mind you, is coming from a country and newspaper that has been traditionally very pro-American, but which now perceives the US as more of threat to the country than an ally. Whatever goodwill Obama brought with his election has now been dissipated by his policies.

Finis