Obama: Poland Is Model for Arab Spring

President Obama wrapped up his Europe trip today with a stop in Poland, where he called the nation's transition to democracy a model for the Arab world. “Poland has navigated that process as well as any country in recent history,” said the president, who added that he wanted "all states undergoing similar experiences to learn from Poland.” While there, he met with leaders of the old Solidarity movement, with one notable exception: Lech Walesa opted out, saying it would be only a "photo opportunity," notes the Christian Science Monitor.

Obama had more tangible news for Poland as well: The US plans to roatate F-16 fighters and C-130 Hercules aircraft to a Polish base in 2013 to further cement the nation's military ties, reports AP. And though he had no surprise policy announcement on the issue, he said he backed newly proposed legislation making it easier for Poles to travel in the US. "We very much want you to shop on Fifth Avenue and anywhere else in the United States." (More President Obama stories.)