Topic: Barack Obama

All Content

The Monitor's View With Africa's eyes on Obama trip, a continent takes stock of its progress

As President Obama visits Africa – and the world tracks reports about Nelson Mandela – Africans are due praise for 15 years of triumphs.
On first day in Africa, Obama calls Mandela a 'hero for the world'

The White House is in Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania for a week, to make up for lost ground as China's influence rises. But the status of Mandela looms over visit.
Nelson Mandela: Why Zuma cancelled a trip (+video)

Nelson Mandela: The health of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, continues in "very critical" condition. President Jacob Zuma cancelled a planned trip to neighboring Mozambique after visiting the revered former leader on Wednesday.
With more at stake, US and Russia cool war of words over l'Affaire Snowden (+video)

The Edward Snowden affair elicited a round of threats and needling from US and Russian officials, but the two powers have appeared to pull back, mindful they have more consequential mutual interests.
Energy Voices Global warming and the politics of fossil fuel

We’re not going to be able to transition to a non-fossil-fuel economy overnight, Fen Montaigne, senior editor of Yale Environment 360, said in an interview with OilPrice.com. But if you keep approving tar sands projects, or massive pipelines, or drilling in the Arctic, when does it stop?
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage

One by one, leading Republicans offered statements after the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling that showed they were ready, by and large, to leave the gay marriage fight to the states.
Obama lands in an Africa more skeptical of his presidency (+video)

White House predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton left a mark on Africa. Obama in his first term did not. Will his second term bring a different story?
Obama on gay marriage: from reluctant supporter to cheerleader-in-chief

One year ago Obama had just come out for gay marriage, and now he's a big cheerleader. But in 2011, he took the most important step of his presidency in paving the way for Wednesday's DOMA ruling.
Gay marriage: Supreme Court strikes down DOMA, dismisses Prop. 8 appeal

US Supreme Court said Wednesday, 5 to 4, that DOMA (federal Defense of Marriage Act) had been enacted with an apparent attempt to harm gay couples. Its actions set stage for legal battles state by state over gay marriage.
Decoder Wire Battleground Ohio: The [early] polls are in, showing a Clinton-Christie tie

It's never too early to poll test presidential prospects, it seems. So, a new Ohio poll finds Hillary Clinton and Chris Christie dead even, at 42 percent. Clinton beats Rand Paul, Joe Biden doesn't.
USA Update Filibuster of Texas abortion bill makes a star of Wendy Davis. Will that last? (+video)

A Democratic state senator in heavily Republican Texas, Wendy Davis rocketed to global social media prominence on the strength of her filibuster and the failure of the abortion bill she opposed.
Kenyans in small uproar as Obama Africa trip bypasses his father's homeland

Obama has affirmed his African family roots. But with Kenya's leaders facing ICC trials this fall, a trip to Nairobi was probably a non-starter.
Youth coding camps rise in popularity as US demand for programmers increases

There's a lack of coding education in high schools and a lack of programming professionals in the real world. Enter coding camps; rising in popularity, these camps are trying to get kids hooked on programming.
Obama, off to Africa, aims to reenergize US role there. Is time ripe?

President Obama will emphasize benefits of partnering with the US on economic and social development, during his three-nation trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Rising disillusionment with other partners, such as China, may make that idea a slightly easier sell, experts say.
Massachusetts Senate race: Politician defeats ex-SEAL

Longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has won the U.S. Senate seat long held by John Kerry, now US Secretary of State. Markey defeated Republican political newcomer and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez.
Keystone XL pipeline: Did Obama just drop a big hint about his decision? (+video)

Obama said the Keystone XL pipeline would only be approved if it won't increase greenhouse gas emissions. That cheered some foes of the project, but others see the president finding a way to say yes.
Climate change: Obama announces new curbs on existing power plants (+video)

A feisty Obama – 'We don't have time for a meeting of the flat earth society' – cited a list of projects to address climate change, but the centerpiece is crimping smokestack emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Energy Voices What Obama's climate plan means for his pick to head EPA (+video)

President Obama's plan to combat climate change may help the environment, but it will likely put one potential member of his cabinet in political jeopardy. Gina McCarthy, his pick to head the EPA, is already facing heated opposition from some lawmakers. The climate change plan Obama outlined Tuesday could make McCarthy's confirmation process even more complicated.
Backchannels The US demands Russia give up Snowden: Thanks, says Putin.

Every time the US 'demands' something from another country without considering the other parties' interests and motivations, it weakens itself. Vladimir Putin has been pointing this out.
Decoder Wire Hillary Clinton weighs in on Edward Snowden: Is that appropriate?

Generally, former secretaries of State stay quiet on matters that affect their successors – such as the Edward Snowden leaks. But Hillary Clinton, eyeing a presidential run, has different rules.
The Monitor's View Supreme Court ruling hardly ends the issue in Voting Rights Act

In the Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, the nine justices were at odds over an issue that still divides America: How to deal with old fears of any new types of racism.
Obama prepares to visit an Africa more skeptical of his presidency

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush left a mark on Africa that Obama so far has not. Will Obama's second term change that?
Climate change: Why does President Obama's plan skirt Congress?

With Republicans implacably opposed – and some Democrats still wary of fallout at the polls – there's little prospect of getting climate change reform through Capitol Hill.
Energy Voices Obama climate plan: bold, but will China go along?

President Obama's climate plan aims to address climate change with an eye toward global partnerships. Without cooperation from China and the developing world, international climate treaties have fallen short – a shortcoming Obama hopes to remedy with his climate plan.
Focus Is Afghanistan ready to defend itself?

Evidence is mixed as to the readiness of Afghanistan's Army and National Police to assume the lead in planning and fighting – with the summer combat season likely to be the first big test.