Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017, becoming the first African-American to hold the office. His political career began in the Illinois State Senate (1997-2004), followed by a term as a U.S. Senator (2005-2008). Key policy stances included healthcare reform (Affordable Care Act), economic stimulus (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), and financial regulation (Dodd-Frank Act). Obama's presidency saw the end of the Iraq War, the killing of Osama bin Laden, and increased use of drone strikes. He also oversaw the 2011 military intervention in Libya and negotiated the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). His administration faced challenges including the Great Recession, the rise of ISIS, and Russian interference in the 2016 election. He championed LGBT rights and signed the Paris Agreement on climate change. Post-presidency, Obama remains politically active, supporting various candidates and publishing books. His legacy is widely debated, but he consistently ranks highly among US presidents.