---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world is fortunate - for the time…"
description: "\"The world is fortunate - for the time being, at least - that it has an American president in Obama who is prepared to take a conciliatory and concessiv..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/martin-jacques-6623_about_the-world-is-fortunate-for-the-time-bein_3228904.jpg"
---

#  The world is fortunate - for the time being, at least…

![“The world is fortunate - for the time being, at least - that it has an American president in Obama who is prepared to take a conciliatory and concessive attitude towards America's decline and that it has a Chinese leadership which has been extremely cautious about expressing an opinion, let alone…” quote by Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/martin-jacques-6623_about_the-world-is-fortunate-for-the-time-bein_3228904.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/martin-jacques-6623_about_the-world-is-fortunate-for-the-time-bein_3228904.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a8/martin-jacques-6623_about_the-world-is-fortunate-for-the-time-bein_3228904.jpg)

> “The world is fortunate - for the time being, at least - that it has an American president in Obama who is prepared to take a conciliatory and concessive attitude towards America's decline and that it has a Chinese leadership which has been extremely cautious about expressing an opinion, let alone flexing its muscles.”

[Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote suggests that the U.S. and China are both cautious, with the U.S. led by Obama taking a conciliatory stance toward decline, while China remains restrained in expressing power.

**In simple terms:** The US and China are both careful in their global actions.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and balance cautious leadership.

Themes

politics leadership international relations

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

- diplomacy
- policy analysis
- global strategy
- leadership assessment

Key Concepts

realism soft power strategic restraint

Questions to Reflect On

- How does cautious leadership affect global stability?
- What are the risks of underestimating national ambitions?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook internal pressures and divergent national interests.

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Browse all 26,122 About quotes

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