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World watches for sign of new U.S. approach abroad - -

By Howard La Franchi

from the November 13, 2006 edition

World watches for sign of new US approach abroad

After the election, Bush may take a more multilateralist path and pay greater attention to bipartisanship.

| Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
 
When Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visits the White House Monday, he'll be looking for signs of any redirection in how the United States approaches the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - and Iran - in the wake of last week's midterm elections.

This barometric reading is the first of several that world leaders will be taking of American leadership. Later this week, President Bush travels to Asia to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vietnam. Then at the end of the month, the president visits Europe, where he attends a NATO summit in Riga, Latvia.

In the Monitor
Monday, 11/13/06
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Along the way, leaders from Chinese President Hu Jintao to Russia's Vladimir Putin will be gauging the new state of political affairs in Washington - from Democratic leadership in Congress and a change at the helm of the Pentagon, to the resurgent role of former secretary of State James Baker III.

With Mr. Bush entering the lame-duck period of his presidency in a weaker state than imagined just a week ago, some diplomatic observers believe the moment could constitute one of the most important turning points in his dealings with the world.

"Although not as dramatic, there will be changes in President Bush's approach to international affairs as a result of 11/7 just as there were after 9/11," says Karl Inderfurth, a former assistant secretary of State for South Asian affairs now at George Washington University. "After 9/11 it was essentially 'our way or the highway,' but clearly now the requirement to bring Congress on board for any major foreign-policy initiatives will mean much greater attention to bipartisanship and the concerns of other players in the international community."

Trade deal with Russia

One side effect of the Democrats' rise to majority power in Congress may be resolution of Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Negotiations between the US and Russia had dragged on over the summer, but some trade experts believe the political will to strike a deal recently strengthened on both sides - with Bush eager to solicit Russia's help on other matters, including Iran.

In addition, the Russians may have decided a trade deal with the US might be more difficult under the Democrats, these experts say. Perhaps as a result, Bush is now expected to sign the deal for Russia's entry into the WTO next weekend in Hanoi. Bush is also set to stop in Moscow Wednesday on his way to Vietnam.

But Mr. Olmert's White House visit will be the first test of Washington's new diplomatic environment. The Israelis are not so worried that Democrats are less staunch in their friendship than the White House,



    
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