LEADERS: "The quiet American: Is Barack Obama's diplomacy subtle and strategic, or weak and naïve? The world is about to find out," The Economist, 28 November 2009.

We are told that the Obama-is-weak camp is growing and the Obama-is-clever camp is weakening.

The usual bit about Obama is kinder to our rivals and enemies than to our friends.

Funny how we're supposed to clean up our act after Bush-Cheney and stop acting like paranoid babies all the time, but we're still supposed to stroke our useless friends non-stop as part of our rehabilitation.

How about the West stop being such pussies night and day and join the rebalancing effort with less whining?

We are the sole superpower who can't locate a decent counterparty on any big issue. China hides as much as possible. India does a bit better, but often remains unrealistically prickly. The Europeans, as usual, can be counted upon for this one-sixth effort while demanding one-for-one leadership rights. Russia's back to bellybutton staring. Only Brazil and Turkey show any strategic vision and chutzpah, which immediately raises our suspicions.

It is truly a sad cast of characters. We are adjusting to reality. We simply find no takers--or we discount those who actually try (Brasilia, Ankara).

There are no partners in this world--just pretenders.

At least the mag gets this right:

[Obama] is right that American power is circumscribed. But the European Union is not fit to help him police the world. China, India and Russia are not willing . . . That leaves Mr Obama with a burden to shoulder on his own.

Thanks a million for the pep talk. Now go back to talking amongst yourselves.