As the pre-electoral Gallup polls suggested a close finish between the two, the sceptics held that the 'white' would win over the 'black', in a state where subtle form of racism hold sway even to this day.

The results proved the sceptics wrong. Barack Hussein Obama had a dream run. His victory was interpreted as a popular verdict for change, against the arrogant neo-conservatism of the Bush years. Some analysts predicted radical change in American policy following his win. Others said Obama would end up squandering the opportunity made available to him and prove another unimpressive Democrat and leave the stage with his dreams unrealised, hopes unmet.

The days between his win and his assumption of office on January 20 have shown the verve and maturity with which Obama would like to begin his presidency. He has selected a team which is not likely to take any radical departure. He may have disappointed his more adventurous supporters, especially those who wanted him to start with a clean slate. However, this is a very wise decision to make. He could not have authored radical and unmanageable change. Change has to be as gradual as the rise of the so-called 'black' constituency he represents, at least symbolically.

He conducted himself fabulously during his inauguration. His speech contained seeds of his plans and programmes no less than the innumerable campaign speeches he delivered during the elections. He exuded the same confidence, displayed the same poise and assurance and brought to bear his faith in the American democratic ethos. 'This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath,' he said.

Obama knew he would be watched all over the world. As over two million people followed the televised inaugural show, he assured his audience that he spoke for the poor and the underprivileged around the world when he said, '...to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.'

As the days go by, the world will judge Obama by his ability to translate his words into action. He has to pull the U.S. out of the economic crisis it is in today. He has to ensure that the process of recovery contributes to the well being of other countries around the world. As the leader of the most powerful nation, he has to assure others that his country has a responsibility towards the entire world. His calls for changing tack on environmental issues, on Iraq, on Guantanamo Bay prison and also on Iran have generated lot of goodwill towards him and the U.S. 'If he succeeds in convincing the Americans that only through good means they can achieve good ends, then the world will be a different place,' observed an analyst from India after his inauguration.

Obama has started off well. Perhaps, he understands that he should take whatever departure he wanted to take from the previous administration in the very early days. Accordingly, he made his first presidential call to none other than President Abbas of Palestine Authority. He also spoke to President Mubarak of Egypt, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, and King Abdullah of Jordan. His press secretary said that these talks underlined a 'commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term'.

He has also ordered his military commanders to redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. But he would not favour any hasty withdrawal and emphasised 'additional planning necessary to execute a responsible military draw-down from Iraq.' He has also expressed his desire to talk to Iran. These are well in line with the campaign promises he made to his electorate.
His move to nominate Hillary Clinton, his former presidential opponent from the Democratic Party, as his Secretary of State, has signalled his desire to move ahead with caution in foreign policy matters. This will ensure broad-based support of the Democrats and foreclose the possibility of any radical break.

As the saying goes, well begun is half done. Obama has inspired a lot of confidence and assurance amongst his own people and the vast majority of people around the world.

In the Muslim world, his middle name, Hussein, has evoked a sympathetic response. In India, for example, the Muslims of Delhi organised a qawwali (group singing) to celebrate Obama's assumption of office in the U.S. In other areas similar congregations were reported by the media. His message to the Muslim world to help him work towards a relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect drew wide acclaim. Even the Taliban gave him due credit for his move to shut down Guantanamo Bay detention centre. Obama has indeed a rare opportunity to work towards peace in the Middle East and win the trust and confidence of the Muslims around the world.

Richard Holbrooke, his special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in a recent article in Foreign Affairs, discussed the foreign policy objectives of the Obama administration in great detail. He enumerated U.S. plans to turn its attention towards what he called 'the arc of crisis', and especially to the five critical states in that area spanning from Turkey to South Asia: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This gives a lot of assurance for people in the region who would like the U.S. to stay engaged and work towards stability, prosperity and peace in this 'arc of crisis'.

Holbrooke also dwelt at length on the necessity to take responsibility for the environmental crisis that is looming on the horizon. His emphasis on 'climate change' and his call to Americans to be ready for 'compromises and sacrifices' and to work for a new international climate change treaty to supplant the Kyoto Protocol may not have enthused his countrymen, but it has certainly been welcomed by people all over the world.

Last but not the least, Obama has to preside over a country which is undergoing an unprecedented economic meltdown. He has to get the American economy back on the rails. His campaign pronouncements to go for tax cuts and stop the flight of jobs abroad will have to be executed in the most diligent manner so that the U.S. can revive its economy without hurting the economic interests of other nations.

As Obama stated in his inaugural speech, America, as the most powerful country and the largest economy in the world, will have to take responsibility for the world.

The chief enemy of Obama will inevitably be the expectations he has raised at home and abroad. It is humanly impossible to fulfil all the promises he has made and meet the expectations of one and all. He has the unenviable task of having to officiate over an America that is in an economic crisis and terribly short on legitimacy as far its international prowess is concerned. The world wishes him all good luck.

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