Experts warn of too high hopes for Obama

BERLIN, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A group of experts warned not to expect miracles from the next U.S. president, Barack Obama.

"In Europe, the admiration for Obama is so great that it borders on a belief in miracles," Eberhard Sandschneider, director of the German Council on Foreign Relations, said at a press breakfast Wednesday, according to the Berlin-based think tank.

Such expectations are not realistic, he said, adding that the next U.S. president will face a series of problems that he won't be able to solve quickly.

"Hard work is in store for all of us," Sandschneider said, pointing to security crises in Afghanistan and Iran, for the resolution of which European nations would have to contribute more.

Josef Braml, an America expert at the same think tank, said focusing on Obama only would be seeing only one aspect of the story.

He underlined the importance of the Congress, which will be Democrat-led, but does not necessarily have to follow all of the president's initiatives.

Braml said he expects trans-Atlantic trade talks to run into problems.

"Europeans should get ready for greater protectionism in the United States," he said.

He added that when it comes to energy policy, Europe -- and especially Germany -- could help in drafting new U.S. energy policies that help establish renewable energy sources.

"German know-how in this field is in great demand," he said.