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...corner from the school is a Protestant church, as well as a Starbucks and a Dunkin' Donuts. For all its recent conservative leanings, Indonesia is hardly in danger of turning into a theocratic state, and the nation's pluralistic underpinnings are something Obama will doubtless celebrate during his visit. Predictably, some hard-line Islamic groups have already gathered across the nation to thrust their fists in the air and chant anti-American slogans. But their numbers, so far, have been limited. What reigns in Indonesia, instead, is waning optimism for Obama's efforts to re-engage with the global Islamic...
...Obama has spoken persuasively about Asia's significance. Last November, on his first visit to the continent as President, Obama vowed to address a perception that the George W. Bush Administration had overlooked Washington's Pacific allies. "I want every American to know that we have a stake in the future of this region," Obama said in Tokyo, "because what happens here has a direct effect on our lives at home." But since then the Obama Administration has dropped the ball on promoting U.S.-Asia trade, neglecting to implement regional free-trade pacts. "We do hope that [Obama's Asia...
...tried hard to force the church to confront its demons openly. "As Pope, he has been unusually and laudably aggressive in dealing with abusers," says David Gibson, author of a Benedict biography. Benedict has on several occasions called for "absolute transparency" on sexual abuse. During a visit to Washington, D.C., in 2008, he met in private with some victims of abuse by American priests. But he has been remarkably unforthcoming about the latest scandals. If the Pope does reveal his feelings about the current upheaval, it may be in writing: he said he would shortly publish a pastoral letter...
...contract." The human-rights vision of the Council of Europe has also led to the abolition of the death penalty in all 47 member states. It has created monitoring mechanisms, such as our Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane or Degrading Treatment. Members of this committee regularly visit prisons or places of detention in all member states to check if governments are ill-treating prisoners or detainees. The Council of Europe campaigns to fight other injustices, from violence against women and children to discrimination against minorities such as the Roma. (See pictures from Obama's overseas trips...
Obama's upcoming visit to Indonesia is being heralded as a homecoming. Millions of Indonesians consider Barry Soetoro--he was once known by his Indonesian stepfather's surname--to be an honorary citizen. But even as Obama prepares to take a trip down memory lane, the fate of his boyhood likeness underscores his--and America's--growing image problem across Asia. Soon after the statue of young Barry was moved, U.S. diplomats were busy in Beijing repairing relations with the world's next superpower. Meanwhile, Japan, for decades the key U.S. ally in Asia, is calling for a more equal...