The World as It Is Summary

Power doesn’t just reveal who we are; it tests us, again and again. It is a test of our resolve, our principles, and our humanity.

1. Obama’s Campaign Was About Genuine Change

Barack Obama entered the 2008 election with a fresh approach, advocating for diplomacy and challenging establishment thinking. He stood against the Iraq War when most supported it and emphasized hope and authenticity in a political climate dominated by distrust. His international outlook was reflected in his willingness to engage with opponents like Iran without preconditions.

His bid to demonstrate diplomatic strength included an extraordinary campaign tour in Europe, featuring a speech in Berlin, where previous presidents like Kennedy and Reagan had spoken. This bold move signaled a departure from traditional election strategies. Obama sought to redefine America’s global relationships, focusing on collaboration over confrontation, even when critics saw his ideas as naive or weak.

A near-mishap illustrated the careful attention to detail at play. A seemingly innocuous reference to the German word “Schicksalsgemeinschaft” in his Berlin speech nearly invoked Hitler’s rhetoric unknowingly. After a translator flagged it, the team quickly revised the language. The corrected speech resonated deeply with its massive audience, visually cementing Obama as a global figure.

Examples

• Obama opposed the Iraq invasion, calling out its lasting consequences.
• His campaign tour included visits to Europe and the Middle East, uncommon for U.S. presidential candidates.
• A translator's warning avoided a historical misstep in Berlin.

2. Obama’s Multicultural Background Shaped His Perspective

Obama’s early years, including his time in culturally diverse Hawaii and politically complex Indonesia, gave him a layered view of America’s role in the world. He didn’t grow up with the simpler narratives many Americans embraced about U.S. power and exceptionalism but instead saw the country as both inspiring and flawed.

His speeches often highlighted an honest acknowledgment of America’s past wrongs alongside its aspirations. For instance, speaking to the Turkish parliament in 2009, Obama addressed America’s own history of oppression while advocating for progress. While patriotic to him, such candor drew criticism, branding him as overly apologetic or unpatriotic in some circles.

The contrast between his idealism and Washington’s pragmatic realism sometimes clashed. Senior advisors and bureaucrats had differing opinions on issues like Guantanamo Bay, where Obama wanted to candidly admit detainees had been deprived of due process, while others sought to emphasize that they had received more legal representation than previous adversaries.

Examples

• Obama’s Indonesian childhood post-coup shaped his understanding of American intervention.
• His Turkish speech faced backlash for addressing U.S. systemic racism.
• A contested draft about Guantanamo reflected internal disagreements.

3. The Cairo Speech Tried to Bridge America and the Muslim World

Obama’s 2009 Cairo speech aimed to rebuild trust with the Muslim world after years of strained relations post-9/11. He sought mutual understanding, reminding Western audiences of Islam’s contributions to global civilization and urging the Muslim world to embrace universal human rights and democratic principles.

The speech avoided simplifications. For example, Obama resisted visiting Israel afterward to prevent framing the Israel-Palestine conflict as the centerpiece of Middle Eastern discourse. Despite this, right-wing Israeli backers later accused him of neglecting their concerns, showcasing how delicately he navigated these dynamics.

The speech became a defining moment for his administration’s vision: one of optimism and shared humanity. The audience’s enthusiastic reaction, from religious figures to young activists, underlined its resonance. However, the aspirational tone foreshadowed the challenges of embodying these values in future foreign policies.

Examples

• The address opened with “Assalamu alaikum," signaling respect.
• His call for women’s rights in the Muslim world earned applause.
• Critics labeled his avoidance of Israel as a controversial omission.

4. Divisions in the Arab Spring Tested Obama’s Values

The Arab Spring’s eruption in late 2010 presented a dilemma for the Obama administration. Young staffers, like Rhodes, saw it as a chance to sideline repressive regimes and align with the ideals earlier laid out in the Cairo speech. Others, including Hillary Clinton, urged caution to maintain stability.

This division was clear during Egypt’s protests in Tahrir Square. The author drafted statements supporting protestors’ aspirations, but advisors often sanitized these positions to more neutral tones, prompting frustration. Ultimately, Obama decided to push openly for a political transition, later urging President Mubarak to step down.

The victory of removing Mubarak was bittersweet. Washington insiders criticized Obama for “abandoning” an ally. Yet, those aligned with the administration’s younger cohort felt they stayed true to the espoused principles of self-determination and democracy.

Examples

• The administration split over how to handle Mubarak’s suppression.
• Obama directly called on Mubarak to step aside after months of protests.
• Critics accused Obama of being influenced by younger, idealistic staffers.

5. Killing Osama bin Laden Cemented Obama’s Resolve

One of Obama’s first pledges in office—to capture or kill Osama bin Laden—took years of intelligence gathering and careful planning. A high-stakes decision unfolded when analysts identified a figure nicknamed “the pacer” in an obscure Pakistani compound who could be bin Laden.

The situation carried immense risk. If the intelligence was wrong, it might weaken the administration and strain U.S.-Pakistan relations. Despite conflicting advice, Obama’s meticulous review of the intelligence demonstrated his measured leadership.

Ultimately, SEAL Team Six eliminated the terrorist leader, marking a symbolic victory years after the 9/11 attacks. Obama resisted exploiting it for overt political gain, deciding against releasing bloody photographs, saying they weren’t trophies. This decision exemplified his preference for restraint over spectacle.

Examples

• Intelligence placed bin Laden’s odds of being at the compound at 40-60%.
• Obama killed time playing cards while awaiting the raid’s outcome.
• His public announcement prominently avoided triumphalism.

6. Normalizing Relations with Cuba Reflected Hopeful Diplomacy

The diplomacy of reestablishing ties with Cuba gave Obama’s administration a rare proactive opportunity amid global crises. Rhodes led secret talks in Canada with Cuban officials, laying the groundwork for restored dialogue.

Trust developed over time. For example, Cuba refrained from aiding the travel of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden when asked, signaling cooperation. With Pope Francis acting as a mediator, an agreement was reached to reopen embassies and reignite formal relations.

Obama's phone call to Raúl Castro symbolized reconciliation. Allowing Castro to air old grievances without interruption, Obama showed his commitment to listening, not dictating. While controversial, the decision embodied a leap toward resolving a decades-old Cold War rift.

Examples

• Talks in secluded Canadian homes ensured confidentiality.
• Havana blocked Snowden from using their transit facilities.
• Pope Francis mediated the dialogue between both nations.

7. Race Shaped Obama’s Presidency in Subtle but Powerful Ways

Obama’s legacy as the first Black president was shadowed by unspoken racial tensions. While Obama avoided blaming outright racism for policy opposition, his presidency often faced backlash beyond the expected boundaries of ordinary politics.

A haunting moment arrived after the Charleston Church shooting. Preparing for victims’ eulogies, Obama wrestled with deep questions about America’s racial history. Singing “Amazing Grace” during the service became a defining moment of his presidency, symbolizing unity and grace in the face of racism.

Obama’s team regularly received countless racist notes and threats, showcasing the undercurrent of hostility that his presidency evoked in some quarters. This tragic paradox framed how progress and resistance toward racial unity coexisted in modern America.

Examples

• Jokes in private revealed Obama’s recognition of racism’s role.
• His Charleston speech addressed deeply ingrained injustices directly.
• A citizen’s letter described how the speech changed his views on race.

8. The Iran Deal Was a Hard-Fought Achievement

Preventing Iran’s nuclear weapon capabilities became a priority for Obama’s administration. Pushing for diplomatic solutions against staunch internal and external opposition required persistent effort and strategic framing.

Fake news and propaganda campaigns tried to undermine public confidence in the deal. Right-wing groups spent millions on advertisements while false quotes attributed to Rhodes misrepresented the White House’s motivations.

Despite these challenges, the administration swayed public and political opinion. Rhodes rallied bipartisan support by emphasizing the disastrous consequences of military alternatives. Eventually, science experts and even some unlikely allies endorsed the deal, cementing a diplomatic breakthrough.

Examples

• Politicians spent $40 million lobbying against the Iran deal.
• A misleading Breitbart article circulated fabricated quotes.
• Dick Cheney’s Iraq-war associations deflected criticism in debates.

9. Trump’s Win Left Obama Reflecting on Identity and Truth

Donald Trump’s unexpected victory prompted introspection for Obama and his team. On a personal level, Obama considered whether his administration had underestimated cultural divisions, particularly around national identity.

Rhodes linked Clinton’s loss to rising disinformation, recalling how Obama himself faced baseless conspiracy theories about his birthplace. Trump’s campaign capitalized on these trends, appealing to emotion over evidence.

After meeting Trump, Obama was shocked by his lack of detailed policy positions but noted Trump’s ability to resonate emotionally with voters. The encounter emphasized just how much political landscapes and persuasion had shifted dramatically.

Examples

• Obama noted Michigan’s unexpected competitiveness shortly before polls.
• A solid faction of Republicans still doubted Obama’s U.S. birth during 2016.
• Trump’s focus on rally sizes during their meeting caught Obama off guard.

Takeaways

1. Leaders thrive when they stay true to their principles, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
2. Diplomacy works best when respect and empathy replace arrogance and dominance.
3. Stay vigilant against false information and prioritize truth in shaping public narratives.