In the words of a recent Brookings Institution book, Obama had an “activist vision of his role in history,” intending to “refurbish America’s image abroad, especially in the Muslim world; end its involvement in two wars; offer an outstretched hand to Iran; reset relations with Russia as a step toward ridding the world of nuclear weapons; develop significant cooperation with China on both regional and global issues; and make peace in the Middle East.” But his record of achievement on these issues has been mixed.
用布鲁克林研究所新报告的话说，奥巴马对于“自己在历史中的角色抱有积极主义的愿景”，他意在“刷新美国的海外名声，特别是在穆斯林世界的名声；让美国在两场战争中退出；向伊朗伸出包容之手；重塑美俄关系作为销毁世界核武器的一步；在地区和全球问题上发展中美重要合作关系；以及维持中东和平。”但在这些问题上，奥巴马的答卷喜忧参半。