The upcoming US president will be faced with a challenging foreign policy agenda, including conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the global financial crisis, and the need to repair the country's international reputation. Despite focusing on domestic issues like taxes and healthcare, Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain will need to address national security concerns when they take office. James Lindsay, a former foreign policy aide to President Bill Clinton, warned that the next administration should be cautious in their approach to these complex issues. Lindsay, currently at the University of Texas in Austin, stated that the incoming president will have a significant foreign policy agenda, including decisions with major implications for American security. Shortly after the election, Bush will hold a summit in Washington to address the global economic crisis and initiate discussions on financial reforms with world leaders. The next president, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, will inherit the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the escalating pursuit of al Qaeda militants along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Other crucial issues include preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ensuring that North Korea fulfills its commitment to dismantle its nuclear program. Both candidates have pledged to prioritize efforts for peace in the Middle East and to strongly support Israel. Mark Lippert, a foreign policy adviser to Obama, emphasized that fighting terrorism, addressing militants on the Afghan-Pakistan border, and eliminating Osama bin Laden are key national security objectives. Obama has committed to ending the Iraq war and strengthening the US military presence in Afghanistan. Lippert noted that the ability to address the worsening security situation in Afghanistan and combat militants is interconnected with progress in political reconciliation in Iraq and the reduction of troops there. McCain also supports increasing forces in Afghanistan but opposes setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, believing US troops should stay as long as necessary. Obama's readiness to communicate directly with US adversaries like Iran and Syria is another major point of contention. McCain has criticized Obama's call for dialogue at the highest levels as naive, while Obama believes the Bush administration's resistance to engaging foes has limited diplomatic options. McCain has proposed Russia's expulsion from the elite Group of Eight club in response to their conflict with Georgia, a move Obama opposes. Both candidates condemned the Russian invasion that was sparked by Georgia's attempt to regain control over breakaway South Ossetia, but McCain's response was more severe. One shared foreign policy goal between Obama and McCain is to mend relationships with traditional allies, particularly European countries, that were strained during the Bush administration. Analysts believe Obama's popularity overseas could give him an advantage in this effort, but it may not solve challenges like getting Europe to contribute more troops in Afghanistan. Strengthening European alliances could also provide leverage with Russia, as Obama has emphasized the importance of the transatlantic relationship in addressing various global issues like nonproliferation, terrorism, climate change, energy, and democracy promotion. McCain, on the other hand, has criticized the current administration's approach to diplomacy and has promised a different approach. Randy Scheunemann, who is John McCain's top foreign policy adviser, stated that it is inaccurate to portray McCain, a senator from Arizona and former prisoner of war, as more likely to use military force than previous US presidents. Scheunemann emphasized that McCain comprehends the gravity of sending military personnel into dangerous situations. The economic summit on November 15, hosted by President Bush, will include leaders from the G20, which consists of major industrialized nations and emerging economies such as China, Brazil, and India. It is uncertain if the president-elect will attend, but both McCain and Obama have stressed the significance of the US economy in maintaining the country's global influence. Obama is more careful in his approach to trade, but both candidates pledge to act swiftly in order to enhance the financial regulatory system.