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Washington (CNN) -- A week ago, President Barack Obama landed in China with a considerable political limp after this month's midterm elections. But as the President left Australia following a G20 Summit in Brisbane, the narrative, at least overseas, spotlighted Obama with more of a spring in his step.

"This was a strong week for American leadership," Obama said at a news conference at the conclusion of the summit on Sunday. The headline in the country's "Daily Mail" tabloid read "Wham Bam," below a picture of a confident-looking U.S. President.

Obama's trip to Asia began with a foreign policy bright spot -- the release of two American prisoners from North Korea. In China, the president unveiled a surprise climate deal with China. Stopping in Myanmar, Obama pointed to progress in democratic reforms in the Southeast Asian country. Arriving in Australia, there were ample opportunities to take some jabs at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As a result, Obama left for Washington, largely having avoided the mishaps that dogged his recent foreign travels -- save of course the blip of chewing gum in China. The result was a trip more focused on deliverables than distractions.

"If you ask me I'd say that's a pretty good week," Obama said Sunday. "I intend to build on that momentum when I return home tomorrow."

Challenges however weren't far behind Air Force One. Within hours after Obama's departure from Australia, a new foreign policy test had emerged for his administration -- reports that an American aid worker, Peter Kassig, had been beheaded by ISIS.

Related: Obama calls hostage's beheading by ISIS 'pure evil'

Before leaving Australia, the President offered no apologies for Putin's frosty reception in Brisbane.

But he steered clear of the heated rhetoric used by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot who scoffed that Putin was reliving the glories of the Soviet Union or Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who ordered the Russian leader to "get out of Ukraine."

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Obama declares 'strong week' abroad