SCENARIOS: Major foreign policy issues facing new U.S. president

(Reuters) - As the next U.S. president, Barack Obama will face a full plate of foreign policy challenges.

Here are some of the top issues:

WAR ON TERRORISM AND AL QAEDA

Al Qaeda militants who have gained strength in the tribal region of Pakistan are an increasing U.S. concern. Obama has said that if the United States has top al Qaeda members in its sights and Pakistan is unwilling or able to act, the United States should take them out.

AFGHANISTAN

Obama has said he would put more focus on defeating the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and eradicating al Qaeda from Pakistan's borderlands. He has also said he would boost U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan from the current 32,000.

The Bush administration is considering talks with "reconcilable" Taliban elements as part of its review of Afghanistan strategy. But no decision has been made and it will be up to Obama to decide whether to go ahead.

IRAQ

Obama, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has called for a 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq to enable a greater focus on Afghanistan.

IRAN

Obama has said Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Obama favors tough-minded diplomacy with Tehran and has said he would be willing to meet with Iran's leaders without preconditions, though there would be extensive preparations before any such meeting. He has said his promise to meet with Iran's leaders does not necessarily mean he would sit down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad because he is not the most powerful person in Iran.

RUSSIA

Obama condemned Russia's August invasion of Georgia and favors allowing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. But he opposed calls by his Republican rival John McCain to expel Russia from the elite Group of Eight club of rich nations.

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

There has been little sign of progress in talks between the Israelis and Palestinians launched by President George W. Bush in Annapolis, Maryland, a year ago. Obama has promised a vigorous effort at Middle East peacemaking and staunch support for Israel.

IMPROVING U.S. IMAGE IN THE WORLD