Obama: one year on

Crafting a liberal solution to global warming is complicated not least by the many competing interests of various nation states. However, given the urgency of the issue, which as Bill Clinton has argued is "the greatest challenge of our era", liberalism has again been found wanting in America (although it must be acknowledged that this failure is as much caused by the self-interests of nation-states and powerful corporate interests as it is by the failure of liberal policymaking). As a result piecemeal solutions and continued obfuscation is likely.

With regard to US policy in the Israel/Palestine conflict, Obama's policy pragmatism is likely to cause ongoing frustration. His at times lofty rhetoric in his Cairo speech in June once again set up high expectations - this time for a Palestinian state but ambitious rhetoric was once again followed by pragmatic policy-making.

In Afghanistan Obama has been bolder with his policy making to date, doubling US troop numbers there. Unfortunately this may be one arena where pragmatism rather than ideology will be the better path. In truth he is dammed if he will and dammed if he won't – whatever choices he makes, there will be unpleasant consequences. As far as I can see the main reason to remain in Afghanistan is to have troops close to Pakistan. US relations with Pakistan need serious attention and Hillary Clinton's recent frank exchange with Pakistani students seems a step in the right direction.

In summary, Obama is doing a good job on many fronts but to be the transformational president  promised in his campaign rhetoric, he needs to draw from a more coherent set of liberal ideas about how to make America (and at times the world) a better and cooler place.

*This paraphrases Wyclef Jean who sung "Fugees this, Fugees that, where Fugees at?" The Fugees being one of Obama's favourite bands (see: http://www.blender.com/guide/61382/whitehousedjbattle.html).