A strong commitment to working together will be crucial, says economist Gianluca Benigno of the London School of Economics - crucial for public perception and for jittery markets.

VOA: standard.2009.04.01

Also complicating the picture is a perception President Karzai, to gain electoral support, has allied with brutal warlords and others accused of either human rights abuses or drug trafficking.

VOA: standard.2009.08.29

Polls show public support for Mr.Obama's push for health-care reform has weakened in recent weeks, and the constant drumbeat of criticism at the town hall meetings has fed the perception that the political momentum for reform has slowed.

VOA: standard.2009.08.12

"There is a perception that President Obama brings with him a sensibility and sensitivity to the region and I think that will stand him in very good stead because there is already a very strong expectation that President Obama will set a new direction for US policy towards its partners, towards APEC, and in particular towards Asia."

VOA: standard.2009.11.08