Obama: Back on the global stage, but with clipped wings

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will follow his springtime star turn in Europe by returning to the world stage next week, weakened by legislative stalemates on climate change and financial regulation, and facing leaders impatient for results on a range of issues.

The president will fly Monday to New York to attend his first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly and then to a summit of the Group of 20 largest economic powers in Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday.

In both venues, expectations will be high for concrete action to counter Iran's nuclear program, reinvigorate Middle East peace talks, and shore up support for the war in Afghanistan. Leaders also will be looking for action to counter global warming, revive free trade and strengthen financial regulation.

Unlike at April's G-20 summit in London and July's G-8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, Mr. Obama can't expect his celebrity status to carry him above the fray.

His climate-change legislation appears likely to slide to next year in the Senate. His financial reregulation efforts are at a standstill in Congress. Russia and China have already stated their opposition to tough sanctions on Iran's energy industry. And his most recent move on trade, far from liberalization, imposed steep import tariffs on Chinese tires.