As the opening act of Obama’s fledgling presidency unfolded, the country — and the
world — kept a close eye on the 44th
president’s every important move.

President Obama gives U.S. forces authority to fire on Somali pirates holding cargo-vessel Captain Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat. When the captain’s life appears to be in danger, U.S. Navy SEAL sharpshooters shoot from 100 feet away, killing the three pirates. Phillips is rescued, but pirate leaders later say America is now their “Number 1 enemy” and add ominously: “In the future, America will be the one mourning and crying.”