The upcoming U.S. president will be faced with a challenging array of foreign policy issues, including wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the global financial crisis, and the need to improve the country's international reputation. Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain have primarily focused on domestic issues like taxes and healthcare leading up to the November 4 election, putting topics such as the Iranian nuclear crisis and Middle East peace on the back burner. However, the winner of the election will inherit numerous national security challenges when President George W Bush steps down. James Lindsay, a former foreign policy advisor to President Bill Clinton who now works at the University of Texas, Austin, emphasized the importance of being cautious in dealing with these complex issues. Lindsay, who is currently affiliated with the University of Texas in Austin, stated that the incoming president-elect will face a challenging foreign policy agenda with significant implications for American security. Bush plans to host a summit in Washington shortly after the election to address the global economic crisis and initiate discussions on financial reforms with world leaders. The next president will inherit ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the task of combating al Qaeda militants near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Additionally, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensuring North Korea fulfills its promise to dismantle its nuclear weapons program are urgent priorities. Both candidates have pledged to prioritize Middle East peace efforts and show unwavering support for Israel. Mark Lippert, an adviser on foreign policy to Obama, emphasized that combating terrorism, addressing militants along the Afghan-Pakistan border, and apprehending Osama bin Laden are key national security priorities. Obama has promised to bring an end to the Iraq war and increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan. Lippert stated that the capacity to address the worsening security situation in Afghanistan and pursue militants is closely tied to progress in political reconciliation in Iraq and reducing troop presence there. McCain also supports the idea of deploying more troops in Afghanistan and opposes setting a specific timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq, believing they should stay as long as necessary. Obama's willingness to engage in direct talks with US adversaries like Iran and Syria is a significant point of disagreement. Obama believes that the Bush administration's reluctance to engage with enemies has restricted diplomatic options, while McCain criticizes Obama's call for high-level dialogue as naive. McCain has also called for Russia to be expelled from the Group of Eight in response to their conflict with Georgia, a move that Obama opposes. Both candidates condemned Russia's invasion of Georgia, with McCain using stronger language. One common foreign policy goal shared by Obama and McCain is the need to mend relationships with traditional allies, particularly European countries, which were strained during the Bush administration. Some experts believe that Obama's popularity overseas could give him an initial advantage, although it will not solve all challenges, such as convincing Europe to provide more troops in Afghanistan. Strengthening European alliances could also help in dealing with Russia, according to Lippert. Obama has emphasized the importance of the transatlantic relationship in advancing US interests in various areas such as nonproliferation, terrorism, climate change, energy, and democracy promotion. While McCain has been tougher on Russia and made jokes about bombing Iran, he has pledged to move away from the current administration's aggressive diplomacy tactics. Randy Scheunemann, a key foreign policy adviser to McCain, dismissed the notion that McCain would be more prone to using force than previous US presidents. Scheunemann emphasized that McCain, a former prisoner of war and Arizona senator, understands the gravity of sending military personnel into dangerous situations. The upcoming economic summit on November 15, led by President Bush, will gather leaders from the G20, including major industrialized nations and prominent emerging economies like China, Brazil, and India. While the president-elect will have some influence, it remains uncertain if he will attend the summit. Both McCain and Obama have highlighted the significance of the US economy in shaping the country's global standing. Obama is more careful in his approach to trade, but both candidates have pledged to act swiftly to enhance the financial regulatory system.