Picture Gallery: Obama in Europe
Jetting to Europe
US President Barack Obama made plenty of headlines on his first overseas trip since taking office in January. His press conferences were filled with weighty matters: the future of the global financial system, nuclear weapons, and relations between the West and Muslim nations. Barack and Michelle Obama started their whirlwind European tour in London on April 1.
Fashion contest
Many newspapers seemed as interested in the First Ladies' wardrobes as in their husbands' politicking. Opinions differ on who won the fashion duel between Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
Focus on the economy
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Barack Obama gaze down at (from left) Indonesia's Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, China's Hu Jintao and Britain's Gordon Brown during a photo shoot at the G20 summit in London on April 2. The group passed a trillion dollar spending plan and agreed to crack down on tax havens and excessive corporate pay.
A united front
On April 3, Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference at the city hall in Baden-Baden. Obama used the event to thank Germany for sending troops to Afghanistan. It's an issue that the two countries have not always agreed on. The United States would like Germany to send more troops to fight the Taliban in the south. Germany has insisted that it is important to also focus on civilian reconstruction efforts.
Visionary or realist?
Obama announced measures to try and rid the world of nuclear weapons at a speech in front of Prague Castle. His speech came just hours after North Korea attempted to send a satellite into orbit, raising fears that Pyongyang had moved one step closer to being able to launch long-range missiles. Obama said North Korea's move made the effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons even more urgent. During his visit to the Czech Republic, he also met with European Union leaders.
Obama go home
Not everyone was enthralled by Obama. He was greeted by protestors in Turkey.
Top honors
US President Barack Obama meets with Turkey's President Abdullah Gul
An engaged speaker
During a speech to the Turkish parliament, Obama spoke about the important role for Turkey in the Middle East peace process.
Präsidiale Gespräche
Die Kommunikation zwischen Obama und dem russischen Präsidenten Medwedew schien tatsächlich gut zu funktionieren: Sie verständigten sich darüber, dass die USA und Russland Abrüstungsgespräche beginnen werden.
A new basis for trust
On the last day of his visit to Turkey, Obama met in Istanbul with Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious leaders. As his trip to Europe ended, Obama could return to the White House confident that he had made important progress on a number of trans-Atlantic issues.
G 20 Gipfelteilnehmer in London
Die Großen der Welt zum Familienfoto im Buckingham-Palast: Gordon Brown, der Gastgeber des Finanzgipfels, posiert neben der Queen sitzend, während Barack Obama bescheiden in die zweite Reihe getreten ist.
Der Gastgeber
Der britische Premierminister Gordon Brown empfing den amerikanischen Präsidenten am Vorabend des G20-Gipfels in der Downing Street. Die Staatenführer hatten sich die monumentale Aufgabe gestellt, die globale Wirtschaftskrise durch verstärkte internationale Koordination zu besiegen.
Gipfel-Erwartungen
Nie dagewesen
Michelle Obamas Herzlichkeit sprengte die Regeln des Protokolls: Während des Begrüßungsempfangs im Buckingham-Palast legte sie den Arm um Elizabeth II. Wenn die Königin wegen dieses Tabubruchs „not amused“ gewesen sein sollte, ließ sie es sich nicht anmerken - im Gegenteil, sie erwiderte die Geste.
High Five
Die First Lady der Vereinigten Staaten zeigte sich bei ihrem Besuch der Elizabeth-Garrett-Anderson-Mädchenschule vergnügt und äußerst zugänglich. Die Mädchen waren begeistert.