President Barack Obama welcomes British Prime Minister David Cameron to the White House with the pomp of a state visit. The two allies are stressing their unity in dealing with hot spots like Iran, Syria and Afghanistan.
Amid concerns in Britain that the U.S. focus is shifting toward the Asia-Pacific region, Obama is seeking to reassure an old ally with a formal White House dinner and talks on how to coordinate policies on a host of thorny problems.
The serious talks follow a more relaxed day spent watching basketball, a passion for Obama intended to showcase the friendly relations between the two leaders.
The welcome for the British leader has all the pomp of a state visit. However, it will not be called one, since the British monarch is considered head of state rather than the prime minister.