Katharina Schuler (in German), Die Zeit | July 24, 2008
The need for a renewal of transatlantic relations is widely felt among the German public and the expectations are high regarding Obama’s stance on climate protection, peace, and shared values. ++ But there will also be delicate issues arising such as economic relations between both countries and the German fear that Obama could enhance protectionism in the US. ++ Moreover, the canditates’ plan to shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan is likely to have consequences for the German engagement in the country.
Elizabeth Pond, The Christian Science Monitor | July 24, 2008
 The arrest of the Bosnian Serb leader, political mastermind of the Bosnian genocide, Radovan Karadzic on charges of war crimes is a clear indication that ultranationalists no longer speak for Serbia ++ The decision to abide by the EU’s requirement that Serbia extradites Karadzic so that he can be tried at the international war crimes court in The Hague, has shown the new president Boris Tacit’s intent to integrate with rest of Europe. ++ Serbs have finally rejected chauvinism and economic stagnation and turned toward the EU.
Robert Bryce, Energy Tribune Magazine | July 24, 2008
 The tendency to use cleaner, lower carbon fuels is gathering speed without mandates or subsidies. ++ Indeed, the necessity to adapt infrastructure and emerging economies’ use of whatever their indigenous resources to industrialize means the process will not be quick or smooth; but change is underway. ++ China and India, for instance, still heavily rely on coal, but in the long term, they plan to use more gas and electrify. ++ Besides, gas reserves are still substantial and the momentum behind nuclear energy and renewables is growing.
Max Boot, The Washington Post | July 24, 2008
 An anonymous Iraqi official assumes that Maliki thinks Obama will win the presidential election and is taking preemptive steps in order to collect chits that he can later call in. ++ President Bush wisely ignored Maliki’s demand for US troops to withdraw. ++ One should keep in mind that Maliki was not a proponent of the US-led invasion and spent years in exile in Syria and Iran. ++ Iraqi military professionals warn that a quick withdrawal could be very dangerous and wish that the US stay until 2020.
The Economist | July 24, 2008
 Obama has achieved astonishing levels of popularity abroad. ++ Foreigners, however, had better temper their excitement. ++ A “skilled tactician,” Obama tends to shrewdly adapt his discourse to his audience and since, if elected, he would in any case be constrained by a heavily Democratic Congress, chances are “what they see is not precisely what they will get.” ++ Most importantly, Obama still needs to conquer the electorate he would truly be accountable to: for now he remains much less popular at home than elsewhere.
Carol Bellamy & Dam Wienberg | The washington Quaterly | Summer 2008
David Fullbrook | Chatham House | June 2008
Daniel L. Byman | Brookings Institution | May 2008
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Jacob Funk Kirkegaard | Peterson Institute | May 2008
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