MINNEAPOLIS — It is no stretch to say the region ranging from North Africa to Pakistan, known as the “Greater Middle East,” poses the biggest policy challenges for the next U.S. presidential administration. But solutions to the region’s myriad conflicts defy any quick accounting. A panel of top experts at a meeting convened this morning by CFR on the sidelines of the GOP presidential convention outlined the following most pressing issues:

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In his speech closing the Democratic National Convention, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) accepted his party’s nomination with a speech that focused on improving the U.S. economy and bolstering the fortunes of the American middle class. Obama called it “one of those defining moments-a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened.”

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The Wall Street Journal is hosting an online debate on trade policy between an economic adviser to Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), Daniel Tarullo, and an economic adviser to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Phillip Levy. Both have offered differed responses to collapse of the WTO talks in Geneva.In a Washington Post op-ed, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who advises McCain, assesses the changing conditions in Iraq and says a withdrawal from Iraq is not necessary to free forces for Afghanistan.

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Reader Bill Donahue writes:

Much has been made about the comments of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki regarding Obama’s 16 month timetable for withdrawal of U.S. Troops. The common spin is that al-Maliki is putting pressure on the Bush administration. It might also be fueled by Iraqi concern about the U.S. election as well as local elections there. The Prime Minister knows that a portion of the United States wants to leave Iraq. If we do so, he is on his own. It could motivate him to ally himself with the powerful al-Sadr militant faction or at least join the chorus of anti-American groups. Also, there are provincial elections forthcoming in Iraq as well. It may be to al-Maliki’s advantage to seem tough and independent in their own election cycle. The militant radical Montique al-Sadr incidentally also is a supporter of Obama’s plans. He wants US troops out so he, an Iran supporter, can take over. So, if he is going to stay in power, al-Maliki, might feel the need to run toward his “right” just as Obama is now running toward his “center.” Also, militant groups will play upon the election to get U.S. troops out. Curiously, streetwise Iraqis are not so sure they want the US out too soon. It would destabilize the country and re-open the sectarian violence. Then what have we accomplished and what do they have but more bloodshed?

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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) meets Friday with the Dalai Lama (Denver Post) in Aspen, Colorado.

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In a major speech Thursday at Berlin’s Victory Column, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) recounted the historic relationship between the United States and Europe and said the “burdens of global citizenship” will continue to bind the two powers together. A “true partnership” between Europe and the United States will require “sharing the burdens of development and diplomacy; of progress and peace,” Obama said. Read more »

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), the presumptive Democratic nominee in the U.S. presidential elections, arrived in Baghdad today after meeting with officials in Afghanistan this weekend. The Washington Post says Obama’s trip to Iraq is a “fact-finding mission” to discuss troop levels and grand strategy, and that the candidate will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Gen. David Petraeus. In an interview with Der Spiegel published Saturday, Maliki seemed to express support for Obama’s plan for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq under a sixteen-month timetable. But an Iraqi government spokesman said Der Spiegel had “misunderstood and mistranslated” (ChiTrib) Maliki’s comments.

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In a major speech on Tuesday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) detailed his plan to end the war in Iraq and refocus military efforts in Afghanistan.

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As the presidential campaign debate intensified today over U.S. military policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, another discussion took place in Washington about the need for deep-seated, bipartisan reform in the projection of U.S. soft power. The touchstone was a survey of U.S. military officers conducted for the Center for U.S. Global Engagement. A main takeaway from the survey, which can be found here, is the importance a great majority of military officers place on using non-military tools such as diplomacy, food, and support for health, education, and economic development programs. A majority of those surveyed believe the government has not done enough to improve either military or non-military capabilities.

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Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank next week, a Palestinian official confirmed Monday (NYT). Obama will also meet with several Israeli leaders during his trip, which will also include visits to European capitals.

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