(CNN) -- President Obama stepped into office with big approval ratings met with high expectations as he faces a deteriorating economic situation, an unpopular war in Iraq and the Middle East conflict.

The economy has been the main focus of the first week of President Obama's presidency.

In his first week, Obama has focused on the economy, but he's also addressed other campaign promises.

Bill Schneider, CNN's senior political analyst, describes Obama's first week as a "neat balancing act."

As Obama signs executive orders signaling a clear change of direction, he's also working hard to get bipartisan support for his economic stimulus, Schneider said.

"Mr. Obama doesn't have to do that. He could get a stimulus bill passed almost entirely with Democratic votes. But Obama doesn't want to be yet another president who divides the country," he said.

The president has been working the phones with his party and made an unusual trip to Capitol Hill to meet with the opposing party to rally support for his $825 billion economic aid package.

Following a meeting Tuesday with GOP congressman, Obama said he respects the "legitimate philosophical differences" between Democrats and Republicans on how to stimulate the economy.

"I don't expect 100 percent agreement," he said. "But I hope we can put politics aside."  Watch more on Obama's economic push »

Throughout the election season, Obama campaigned on his plan to restore economic equilibrium, and in his first public remarks after winning the election, he vowed to "confront this economic crisis head-on."

Obama faces his first test with Congress on Wednesday when the House of Representatives votes on his economic recovery plan. The president has said he hopes to have the plan passed by Congress and on his desk for signing by mid-February.

Obama also has wasted no time in putting his military and diplomatic agendas into action.

In his first week, he already promised to send as many as 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan to boost the U.S. presence on the ground and increase development and reconstruction assistance.

Seeking to demonstrate the Obama administration's early commitment to the country, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met last week with Afghan women legal professionals who were in Washington on a State Department training program on justice reform in Afghanistan.

Obama also has pledged to crack down on militants in neighboring Pakistan.

During the campaign season, Obama received a lot of criticism for saying that if it were necessary to root out terrorists, he would send U.S. forces into Pakistan without the country's approval.

The president has called Afghanistan and Pakistan the "central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism," and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that missile strikes in Pakistan will continue to root out al Qaeda members.

"Let me just say, both President Bush and President Obama have made clear that we will go after al Qaeda wherever al Qaeda is. And we will continue to pursue this," Gates said.

As Obama seeks to stabilize the region, his administration has been advocating multilateralism and stressing "smart power" diplomacy by using all the tools of foreign policy available.

Obama dispatched newly appointed Middle East envoy George Mitchell to the region and tapped diplomatic heavyweight Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Obama also gave his first formal interview as president to Al-Arabiya, an Arab news channel, sending a message to the region that he wants a dialogue.

"My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy," Obama told the Dubai-based satellite television network. "We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect."  Watch how Obama is reaching out to Muslims »

During his run for the White House, Obama pledged to improve ties with the Muslim world, draw down U.S. troops in Iraq and close the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Two days after his inauguration, Obama issued an executive order to close the camp within a year. Another order formally bans torture by requiring that the Army Field Manual
( CNN ) -- President Obama stepped into office with big approval ratings met with high expectations as he faces a deteriorating economic situation , an unpopular war in Iraq and the Middle East conflict . The economy has been the main focus of the first week of President Obama 's presidency . In his first week , Obama has focused on the economy , but he 's also addressed other campaign promises . Bill Schneider , CNN 's senior political analyst , describes Obama 's first week as a " neat balancing act . " As Obama signs executive orders signaling a clear change of direction , he 's also working hard to get bipartisan support for his economic stimulus , Schneider said . " Mr. Obama does n't have to do that . He could get a stimulus bill passed almost entirely with Democratic votes . But Obama does n't want to be yet another president who divides the country , " he said . The president has been working the phones with his party and made an unusual trip to Capitol Hill to meet with the opposing party to rally support for his $ 825 billion economic aid package . Following a meeting Tuesday with GOP congressman , Obama said he respects the " legitimate philosophical differences " between Democrats and Republicans on how to stimulate the economy . " I do n't expect 100 percent agreement , " he said . " But I hope we can put politics aside . " Watch more on Obama 's economic push » Throughout the election season , Obama campaigned on his plan to restore economic equilibrium , and in his first public remarks after winning the election , he vowed to " confront this economic crisis head - on . " Obama faces his first test with Congress on Wednesday when the House of Representatives votes on his economic recovery plan . The president has said he hopes to have the plan passed by Congress and on his desk for signing by mid - February . Obama also has wasted no time in putting his military and diplomatic agendas into action . In his first week , he already promised to send as many as 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan to boost the U.S. presence on the ground and increase development and reconstruction assistance . Seeking to demonstrate the Obama administration 's early commitment to the country , Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met last week with Afghan women legal professionals who were in Washington on a State Department training program on justice reform in Afghanistan . Obama also has pledged to crack down on militants in neighboring Pakistan . During the campaign season , Obama received a lot of criticism for saying that if it were necessary to root out terrorists , he would send U.S. forces into Pakistan without the country 's approval . The president has called Afghanistan and Pakistan the " central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism , " and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that missile strikes in Pakistan will continue to root out al Qaeda members . " Let me just say , both President Bush and President Obama have made clear that we will go after al Qaeda wherever al Qaeda is . And we will continue to pursue this , " Gates said . As Obama seeks to stabilize the region , his administration has been advocating multilateralism and stressing " smart power " diplomacy by using all the tools of foreign policy available . Obama dispatched newly appointed Middle East envoy George Mitchell to the region and tapped diplomatic heavyweight Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan . Obama also gave his first formal interview as president to Al - Arabiya , an Arab news channel , sending a message to the region that he wants a dialogue . " My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy , " Obama told the Dubai - based satellite television network . " We sometimes make mistakes . We have not been perfect . " Watch how Obama is reaching out to Muslims » During his run for the White House , Obama pledged to improve ties with the Muslim world , draw down U.S. troops in Iraq and close the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . Two days after his inauguration , Obama issued an executive order to close the camp within a year . Another order formally bans torture by requiring that the Army Field Manual
Which camp did Obama order closed
Which camp did Obama order closed
Guantanamo Bay,
Guantanamo Bay,