Obama's Overseas To-Do List for 2010

Afghanistan, Iran top list that domestic politics could kill anyway

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2009 7:07 PM CST

(Newser) – As President Obama noted in his Nobel speech, it’s a scary world out there, and Kevin Whitelaw takes a look at some of the things on his foreign-policy to-do list in 2010:

Pacify Afghanistan to some extent: Now that it’s “undeniably Obama’s war,” Whitelaw writes for NPR, he must “use those extra forces to help reverse the Taliban’s recent gains, make a visible dent in the rising violence and jump-start the training of Afghan security forces.”

Counter the nuclear ambitions of Iran, North Korea: The US faces an uphill battle getting Russia and China to approve sanctions against both—and finding other good options alone will be tough.
Reach out to pariah regimes: “Re-establishing relations with Myanmar or longtime enemies like Cuba could go a long way toward setting a new tone for the US on the world stage, but that doesn't mean it’s likely.”

For the full list, and how domestic concerns could shove foreign policy to a back burner, click the link at right.

President Barack Obama visits a Boys and Girls Club in Washington yesterday. (AP Photo)

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Obama's Overseas To-Do List for 2010

Afghanistan, Iran top list that domestic politics could kill anyway

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Afghanistan • North Korea • Taliban • US foreign policy • Cuba • Myanmar • President Obama • Election 2010 • Afghanistan troop surge • Iran nuclear weapons program

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Troop withdrawal could lead to instability, some fear

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But Gates, Petraeus point to risks

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Obama's Overseas To-Do List for 2010

Afghanistan, Iran top list that domestic politics could kill anyway

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • North Korea • Taliban • US foreign policy • Cuba • Myanmar • President Obama • Election 2010 • Afghanistan troop surge • Iran nuclear weapons program

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Troop Surge Number? 34K

With NATO troops, total close to McChrystal request

World Policy Can Wait a While, Obama

For a while, inaction may be the best course

Obama Right to Stop Petraeus' 'Moby Dick' War

He finally rejects misguided 'bigger is better' Afghan strategy: Steve Clemons

Once Burned, Afghans Fear Repeat of 1989

Troop withdrawal could lead to instability, some fear

Obama Weighs Quicker Afghanistan Pullout

But Gates, Petraeus point to risks

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?