At no time in recent memory has the inauguration of a new US president been as eagerly awaited as the moment Barack Obama's. The president elect will take the oath of office on January 20th. Germany is just one of the many countries hoping for a new course under the charismatic young leader of African-American descent. While European countries are eager for Washington to reform its foreign- and environmental- policies, the current economic malaise makes it likely that President Obama will ask European allies to make greater financial and military contributions to joint international missions such as in Afghanistan.