Barack Obama is new President of United States

United States has made history today with the election of African-American Senator Barack Obama to the highest office, the Presidency. The voter turnout was unprecedented, the election process was smooth and the result was uncontested. Republican candidate John McCain conceded and urged the Americans to work together to support the new president-elect.

At no other time in America's history, will a new president face tremendous problems as will Barack Obama. United States' economy has plunged to the bottom and it will take tremendous efforts to create stability and confidence not only domestically, but more importantly abroad with countries that are closely dependent on the US economy. In his maiden speech as newly elected president, Obama told the Americans that it will take time, maybe not a year or two, or even one mandate to bring America back to a position of economic dominance.

Even more urgent on the new president's agenda will be measures taken in the security field as it faces two unresolved wars : Afghanistan and Iraq. The situation in Afghanistan has become untenable and volatile with the escalating violence claiming civilian lives everyday. In Iraq, it will be a fulfillment of an agreement with the Iraq leadership for a military retreat without jeopardising USA's own interest in the region. There are other urgent issues to focus on, as in the case of Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs.

In the field of energy, USA felt the cost impact of imported oil that has severely affected the American consumers. It has also shown how vulnerable and dependent the US economy has been on oil coming especially from unfriendly country-sources. Even high on the agenda is the need to tackle the threat of global warming. Domestic production of oil must be seen in the light of environmental balance and caution.

The last, but not least on the top agenda of the new Democratic presidency is health care reforms. It is reported that around 47 million Americans have not health care security. Health care security is often tied to one's employment and today when many Americans are jobless, the problem assumes a greater urgency. Companies forced to tighten the belt are passing on the health care problem to the employees themselves.

The world will watch with great anticipation how President-elect Barack Obama will tackle these major issues and whether America can become great again.#