While the left wing of politics is trying exceedingly hard to conflate trivial missteps by the PM and ignore what he has achieved, his diplomatic prowess has not gone unnoticed by our strongest allies.

In the words of Kim Beasley Ambassador to the US and former Labor Leader:

In an exclusive interview at his official residence in Washington, Mr Beazley told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that US officials had marvelled at Mr Abbott’s diplomatic coups on his recent north Asian visit. “He has them somewhat intrigued,” Mr Beazley said in a rare interview on his assessment of the US/Australia relationship.

“And they are very interested in the Prime Minister’s visits to Asia…and what he has arranged in the region. “They are intrigued by his relationship with the Japanese Prime Minister and the fact Australia is looking to do more and more with Japan and how he managed to balance that out with quite a reasonable dialogue with China.

“They think that was a little risk taking by the Australian Prime Minister….and he seemed to pull it off, so in their minds that is a plus. “And then of course as the Americans have more interest with south-east Asia…the most interested of the American politicians in this area is Obama himself.”

Come on Shadow, give us a link. Are you sure it was not the thoughts of Uncle Rups the Daily Telecrap was reporting. I believe Tony Boloney has already been down to see his lord and master for a quick bit of brown nose'n with the 'Septic Tank' himself. Gee for someone who claims to only quote the Daily Telecrap now and then, you seem to rely on that Murdoch fish wrapper quite often. Nothing in the SMH or ABC.
Unless the regular Abbott sycophants jump in and start singing the Mad Monks praises. I don't think you are going to get a lot of agreement here,

Yep Shadow, every time he goes off shore he hits sixes everywhere he goes, without making a fool of himself & us that that idiot Rudd did.

They have had to play up a minor slip of the tongue, as that is all they have been able to fault.

God it must be painful when someone you've been trying to portray as a dunce, has you by the short & curlys, & gives them a little tug from time to time.

Abbott has called the science behind climate change "absolute crap" and moved to undo environmental policies of his predecessor Kevin Rudd, who was one of Obama's closest international allies.

Obama raised climate change in the meeting and wants the issue to be on the agenda in Brisbane, White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Speaking Tuesday to reporters in New York, Abbott said that climate change "is a very significant global issue."
Is Abbott sending remarks to suite the occasion or more lies.

AUSTRALIA has struck a defence agreement with the United States that prepares the ground for more American troops, aircraft and ships to operate from Australian bases to ward off threats in South East Asia.

TONY Abbott has refused to rule out Australian involvement in any military action in Iraq after US President Barack Obama said all options were on the table in terms of dealing with jihadist militants surging towards Baghdad

“Aussies know how to fight and I like having them in a foxhole if we’re in trouble,” Mr Obama declared at the end of a meeting with Mr Abbott.
I say we all know who was in that fox hole. Abbott was in no position to bargain with Obama.
All the time saying China is no threat.

Obama has heard about Abbott's green paper with constitutional issues, between Northern Australia and a chinese zone to bring in their own labour.
All very diplomatic, triumphs are all Obama's. If you are going to give half of Australia away, America may as well have some to.

During wide-ranging talks at the White House, the pair also discussed their different approaches to climate change, with BOTH agreeing they would like energy efficiency on the G20 agenda.

Video: 'I like having (Aussies) in a foxhole': Obama (ABC News)
"Mr Abbott assured Mr Obama that 'Australia will be an utterly dependable ally of the United States'".

Great. When it comes to the survival of civilisation Tony Abbott is willing to team up with Stephen Harper from "Canadia" and undermine Obama's moves to reduce greenhouse gases.

But when it comes to Washington DC's slowness in realising that the Yanks have to give more power to China, Tony Abbott is "All the way with the USA".

A delegation of 18 ambassadors and senior diplomats has lodged a protest with Australia's Foreign Affairs Department for changing the terminology used for occupied East Jerusalem. The Prime Minister has defended the use of the term 'disputed' but Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says Australia's out of step with even its closest allies.