[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: This appeared on the White House website on
inauguration day 20 January 2009]

Text: President Obama - THE AGENDA FOREIGN POLICY - Iran, Israel, etc.
www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/

FOREIGN POLICY
President Obama and Vice President Biden will renew America's security and
standing in the world through a new era of American leadership. The
Obama-Biden foreign policy will end the war in Iraq responsibly, finish the
fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan, secure nuclear
weapons and loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and renew American
diplomacy to support strong alliances and to seek a lasting peace in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
...
Iran

Diplomacy: Barack Obama supports tough and direct diplomacy with Iran
without preconditions. Now is the time to use the power of American
diplomacy to pressure Iran to stop their illicit nuclear program, support
for terrorism, and threats toward Israel. Obama and Biden will offer the
Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support
for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade
Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic
relations. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our
economic pressure and political isolation. In carrying out this diplomacy,
we will coordinate closely with our allies and proceed with careful
preparation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our
best way to make progress.

...
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Obama and Biden will make progress on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority from day one. They
will make a sustained push -- working with Israelis and Palestinians -- to
achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian
state, living side by side in peace and security.

...
Israel

Ensure a Strong U.S.-Israel Partnership: Barack Obama and Joe Biden strongly
support the U.S.-Israel relationship, and believe that our first and
incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be to the security of
Israel, America's strongest ally in the region. They support this closeness,
and have stated that the United States will never distance itself from
Israel.

Support Israel's Right to Self Defense: During the July 2006 Lebanon war,
Barack Obama stood up strongly for Israel's right to defend itself from
Hezbollah raids and rocket attacks, cosponsoring a Senate resolution against
Iran and Syria's involvement in the war, and insisting that Israel should
not be pressured into a ceasefire that did not deal with the threat of
Hezbollah missiles. He and Joe Biden believe strongly in Israel's right to
protect its citizens.

Support Foreign Assistance to Israel: Barack Obama and Joe Biden have
consistently supported foreign assistance to Israel. They defend and support
the annual foreign aid package that involves both military and economic
assistance to Israel and have advocated increased foreign aid budgets to
ensure that these funding priorities are met. They have called for
continuing U.S. cooperation with Israel in the development of missile
defense systems.
...