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Obama faces foreign policy challenges

(CCTV.com)
Updated: 2009-01-21 11:24

Obama is facing a rapidly growing list of monumental foreign policy challenges as he prepares to take the reins of power.

Forcing its way to the top of Obama's overflowing to-do list has been the conflict in the Middle East.

President Barack Obama walks down Pennsylvania avenue with his wife Michelle while on way to the White House fallowing his inauguration ceremony in Washington January 20, 2009. [Agencies]

During a trip to the Middle East in the summer of 2008, Obama expressed his support for Israel to defend itself against rocket attacks fired by Hamas.

Barack Obama, US President-elect, said, "I don't even care if I was a politician if somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that."

For some analysts, the recent flare-up in Gaza highlights the importance of restarting a comprehensive peace initiative in the region.

Shibley Telhami, Mideast Analyst, said, "If we don't have a two-state solution there aren't any good options on the table that are viable, that are credible, that could work, that people will accept and when you don't have viable options on the table you have more conflict, more bloodshed."

Obama also promised an ambitious foreign policy agenda that included withdrawing most US combat troops from Iraq.

Barack Obama, US President-elect, said, "I've been against it 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 8 and I will bring this war to an end in 2009."

The Obama team faces serious challenges in Afghanistan. While campaigning for the presidency, Obama said he wanted to intensify the US military's focus on Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Nominee Hillary Clinton (3rdL) arrives at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as she is flanked by Senator Richard Lugar (L) and Senator John Kerry (R) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. [Agencies]

But, some analysts believe difficulties lie ahead and that there needs to be a change in US policy towards Afghanistan.

Jim Miller, Analyst, Center for A New American Security, said, "We've worked hard to bring in more allies, we are going to have to continue to do that - but I believe we are going to have to lower the bar or extend the timeline of when we expect change to happen."

Continuing dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iran on nuclear proliferation issues also rank among the top issues facing the new Obama administration.

Jim Miller, Analyst, Center for A New American Security, said, "It is also very much at the top because if North Korea and Iran continue on their current paths - North Korea locks in as a nuclear power and Iran becomes a nuclear power, there is first going to be a major change in the regional dynamics of the Middle East and Asia and second there is a real possibility of a proliferation cascade."

As he prepares to take the oath of office, President-elect Obama is being watched closely by allies and foes alike for indications on how he will make a break with the past eight years of the Bush administration, and put his own stamp on American foreign policies of the future.