US Foreign Policy
New Approaches and Old Problems in Afghanistan and the Middle East
Author(s): Daniel Möckli
Editor(s): Daniel Möckli
Series Editor(s): Andreas Wenger, Victor Mauer
In: Strategic Trends 2010: Key Developments in Global Affairs
Series: Strategic Trends
Pages: 47–65
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Place: Zurich
Geopolitical challenges in South Asia and the Middle East dominate US foreign policy. Obama's new approaches to Afghanistan, the Iran nuclear crisis, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have failed to translate into policy success so far. Tough choices lie ahead, as he needs to reconcile policies on Afghanistan and Pakistan, reassess engagement with Iran, and decide about more robust mediation in the Middle East conflict. Preparing to exit from Iraq is an additional challenge. The scope for progress remains slim, with domestic issues likely to increasingly dominate Obama's agenda in 2010.