Cross Continent Connection

1. September 12, 2001 was a day that shook the world.  In New York City, two planes were crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and two more into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania.  Overall approximately, 3,000 people lost their lives on this tragic day in history.  These deaths were not only Americans, nearly 400 casualties were from foreign countries, especially from Great Britain.  However, this is not where the connections between continents end.  Post 9/11, the United States launched into an global War on Terror, focused on the middle east.  In accordance with NATO agreements, the attack on the United States was seen as an attack on all NATO member countries, launching many of the World's superpowers into war which has claimed 300 000 lives of soldiers from the United States and European countries as well as insurgents, and civilians.

2. In 2008, Barack H. Obama, was elected as the first African American President of the United States.  Considered the most powerful man alive, President Obama has made serious changes to the United States and relations with Europe and the World, attempting to create positive relations.  For example, he has begun to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, unlike the Clinton and Bush administration.  He has also attempted at improving relations with Russia, with mixed results.  In addition to these political measures, the President has also attempted to promote greater environmental measures in the United States, an issue which is of great importance to Europeans.  Europeans also praise his Affordable Healthcare act as a step in the right direction for America.  In 2012, Obama's approval rating in Europe was far greater than in the United States, with over 2/3 of polled Europeans approving of the President.