This is lip service, nothing more. 0bama is being shown how the game is played but it is highly doubtful that he is learning very much - the Russians are doing precisely what they need to be doing to succeed, which is to feed 0bama's ego and continue merrily down their own road anyway. With regard to the Iranians, they're laying down an ultimatum: agree to extensive commercial relations with Russian nuclear science or they'll be punished with extensive commercial relations with Russian nuclear science. You'd have to awfully naive to fall for this and 0bama is, in fact, awfully naive.
Actions have consequences, and the consequence of presenting oneself to the world as the anti-Bush is that one ends up stuck with a posture the country's opponents are delighted to see. With regard to Copenhagen, 0bama's demanding, "Beggar yourselves to accommodate our environmental political vanities" and naturally enough, the Chinese among others are replying, "You first." If Cap & Trade breaks the country as is extremely likely, they'll know not to try it.
Even the liberals knew going in that foreign policy was not going to be their candidate's strong suit, but it is dismaying to see just how feckless, ideology-driven, and amateurish 0bama is turning out to be. "Put the country's neck on the chopping block and they'll love us" isn't really the basis of a sound foreign policy. 0bama is being bribed by celebrity and besotted by propaganda, including his own. And he has surrounded himself with so many enablers that there is no one left to guide him.
“And he has surrounded himself with so many enablers that there is no one left to guide him.”
0 is beyond guidance. He wants to be “loved” by one and all. Peace-maker, deal-maker, global environmental-maker.