President Barack Obama
U.S. eyes Afghan drawdown starting by 2013: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States should be able to begin scaling back its troop presence in Afghanistan from a post-surge peak by 2013, according to an assessment by the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan. Full Article | Video
Obama's agenda runs into economic angst in Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is paying a price for a recession that began before he took office, and fellow Democrats have started to balk at his legislative agenda and demand greater efforts to create jobs. Full Article
Analysis
Obama plays China card, but who holds ace?
Although U.S. President Barack Obama has never set foot there, China cast a long shadow in the Pacific region where he grew up. Full Article
Obamamania, Asia-style, likely to be more muted
After being feted in Europe, mobbed in Africa and even cheered in the Middle East, Barack Obama will test the limits of his global starpower next week in his debut presidential tour of Asia. Full Article
Military trust, transparency still elude U.S., China
The eye-popping economic growth that has made China an attractive business partner has also funded an even faster expansion in its military spending that has raised eyebrows among U.S. policymakers. Full Article
China a tougher sell for West on trouble-spots
President Barack Obama will be seeking China's backing over North Korea and Iran when he visits this month, but Beijing appears increasingly assertive about what Western pressure it accepts or rejects. Full Article
Graphic

China seen as key U.S. relation, also a foe: poll
A plurality of Americans see relations with China as the most important globally for the United States, a survey published showed, but more than half of those polled viewed China was an adversary. Full Article
Facts and Figures
Obama's first presidential tour of Asia
Some questions and answers about U.S. President Barack Obama's travels and issues that might come up on his tour of Asia. Full Article
What are the stakes in the U.S.-China yuan tussle?
China's reluctance to let markets play a freer hand in setting the value of the yuan, also called the renminbi, is a festering irritant that both the United States and China want to keep from getting out of hand. Full Article
Five political risks to watch in China
China has so far weathered the global economic downturn with its growth rate staying robust and no sign the government faces any major challenge to its rule. Full Article
Key economic ties between U.S. and Japan
U.S. President Barack Obama meets his Japanese counterpart Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Tokyo, bringing together the leaders of the world's two largest economies. Full Article
U.S. base feud hits nerve ahead of Obama visit
A feud over plans to relocate a U.S. military base on Japan's Okinawa island as part of a broad reorganization of U.S. troops has strained Washington's ties with Tokyo ahead of President Barack Obama's visit. Full Article

