Mr. Obama is taking command of a nation at war and an economy in crisis.

VOA: special.2009.01.24

Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund expect the world economy to shrink this year for the first time since World War Two.

VOA: special.2009.03.13

It also predicts for this year the biggest deficit, as a share of the economy, since World War Two: one trillion seven hundred fifty billion dollars.

VOA: special.2009.02.27

You've had civil war and other disruptions, you've had poor governance in many countries that has not allowed the economy to grow and,in particular, has not allowed poor people to share in the benefits of growth."

VOA: special.2010.04.26

But in terms of this congressional election year, public opinion polls show that the war in Afghanistan still ranks well below the economy and jobs as a top issue for U.S.voters.

VOA: standard.2010.07.30

Strauss-Kahn said the recent Group of 20 meeting in London, which he attended, was exceptionally successful, mainly because leaders committed themselves to taking all actions necessary to pull the global economy out of its first synchronized, post-World War II downturn.

VOA: standard.2009.04.16