The Obama Administration: Perceptions and Encounters Beyond America

This collection offers a detailed assessment of the varied ways in which President Barack Obama was received by audiences beyond Americas borders and assesses what effect this had on his foreign policy initiatives. The book approaches international perceptions of President Obama through specific case study examinations of his most significant state visits, offering original insights into Obamas reception in Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Chapters on Europe explore the complex relationship that Obama shared with both British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Northern Irelands fragile executive. The papal visit is also examined as well as Obamas image in Russia, which explores the varied ways in which state-controlled media attempted to portray Obama as an enemy of Russia. Chapters on the Middle East address the various shifts that occurred in Americas relationship with Iran under Obama, Israeli hostilities towards Obama, and Turkeys more assertive foreign policy. Other contributions include analysis of Obamas visits to Ghana and Kenya, providing important insights into US-Africa relations under his administration and Obamas historic visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan. Together, these essays provide a detailed and comprehensive assessment of Obamas state visits, with much needed insight into how the perceptions of Obama, formed by these visits, affected the US diplomatic and foreign policy initiatives under his administration.