It seems that all the 'specialists' on Asian politics were in agreement that President Obama's visit to Japan, China and South Korea was polite and respectful but that little was achieved. The President Obama is not the same senator we saw on the campaign trail, but those positions are very different in terms of goals. It still, in my opinion, the former senator and now president of a 'superpower', which has lost a lot of 'world capital' both political and figuratively ($). It is too early in his predency to tell if he can achieve more 'trust' in USA among our traditionally allies to combat common threaths; climate, fair/free trade, international terrorism and human rights (read poverty/drugs/human trafficking/abuse of women and children). With all those big tasks, the President also has to combine that with domestical policies and get support for those (read health care, climate, education, huge debt and unemployment). It is no easy ballancing or tasks. Never ever since WWII has USA been challenges more, and Amaricans have got used to live on a 'big foot'.