2008 financial crisis; global financial crisis; GFC
wholeheartedly (approve, agree, etc.); unconditionally; completely
plenary session; general meeting; plenum
conference room; place of assembly
majestic; commanding; imposing; stately; dignified; with pomp and circumstance
to overflow; to brim over; to flood
North Atlantic Treaty Organization; NATO
Nordic countries; Scandinavian countries
major power; principal countries
Arab Spring (revolutionary wave in the Arab world, 2010-2011)
as you are aware; as you know
looking coldly on; looking upon disapprovingly; frowning on
to have a cross to bear; to carry a heavy burden
heat; hot air; enthusiasm; excitement; fever
to flip-flop; to do an about-face; (lit.) to flip over one's hand; to do something easy
established theory; accepted opinion; accepted explanation
worship (esp. Christian); (church) service
thousands; several thousand
to be a background factor; to be an underlying reason
performance (of a duty); fulfillment (of a promise); fulfilment; execution (of a contract); discharge; implementation
surprise attack; sneak attack; foul play
sudden reversal (of behavior, opinion, attitude, etc.); about-face; flip-flop
in a sense; in some way; to an extent
collar; lapel; neckband; nape of the neck; scruff of the neck
large part; greater part; people in general; general public; mostly; for the most part
contrary to one's expectations
Obama; Obama, Barack (1961.8.4-; US president)
opposite; reverse; contrary; front and back; parallel to; back to back
haughty; arrogant; pompous; self-important
to look daunted; to look embarrassed; to be disappointed
one act (of a play); scene; event