Foreign Policy Conundrums for President Obama

President Obama is being tested like never before. Crises and/or major decisions loom in Afghanistan and Iran, and the way he responds will give us a good indication about his shrewdness, character and ability to navigate through tricky alliances and confrontations.

In Afghanistan, a request for more troop is pending from the generals “on the ground.” But due to mission creep and a corrupt election, our reason for staying in the faraway country is being questioned both within and outside the administration. If our original reason involved capturing Osama bin Laden and defanging Al Qaeda, why do we care about the Taliban? Can we fight Al Qaeda without a major nation-building exercise? Vice President Biden seems to have the right idea here, but it’s questionable whether President Obama can be flexible and change course. The lives of young soldiers depend on his decision.

In Iran, just before the first-ever negotiations with the United States, the existence of a new, secret nuclear plant has come to light, and Iran must deal with the repercussions. How will the United States use its new leverage in the situation to bring about real change?

Compared to the obstructionist positions of the Republican Party, foreign policy presents a much more difficult challenge. Will President Obama be playing chess with our enemies, and staying a few moves ahead, or will they present a conundrum and stumbling block for the new President?