Big foreign policy agenda awaits next president

By Caren Bohan

NORFOLK, Virginia (Reuters) - The next U.S. president will face a daunting list of foreign policy challenges, from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the global financial crisis to the need to shore up the country's frayed international image.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have sparred over taxes, health care and other domestic issues as the November 4 presidential election approaches, pushing subjects like the Iranian nuclear standoff and Middle East peace to the background.

But whoever wins the White House on Tuesday will confront an overwhelming number of national security issues when President George W. Bush hands over power.

"The mantra for the next administration has to be, 'Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it,'" said James Lindsay, who was a foreign policy aide to President Bill Clinton and is now with the University of Texas, Austin.

"The new president-elect is going to have a full foreign policy inbox and decisions to make with enormous consequences for American security," added Lindsay, who is now with the University of Texas in Austin.

A week and a half after the election, Bush will convene a summit in Washington to look at the global economic crisis and begin negotiations among world leaders on financial reforms.

His successor, who takes office on January 20, will inherit the Iraq and Afghan wars and an intensifying effort to pursue al Qaeda militants on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

Stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and holding North Korea to its promise to dismantle its nuclear weapons program are also pressing issues.

Both candidates have vowed a reinvigorated effort toward Middle East peace and promise staunch support of Israel.

Obama foreign policy adviser Mark Lippert said fighting terrorism, dealing with militants along the Afghan-Pakistan border and killing or capturing Osama bin Laden are top national security priorities.

Obama has pledged to end the Iraq war and bolster the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan.

The ability to tackle deteriorating security in Afghanistan and pursue militants is "linked to the ability to make progress on political reconciliation in Iraq and the ability to draw down there," Lippert said.

McCain agrees on the need for more forces in Afghanistan. He opposes a timetable in Iraq, saying U.S. troops should remain there as long as they are needed.

Obama's willingness to talk directly to U.S. adversaries such as Iran and Syria is another major point of disagreement.

TOUGH TALK