War on Terrorism & Al-Qaida

Al-Qaida militants who have gained strength in the tribal region of Pakistan are an increasing US concern. Obama has said that if the United States has top Al-Qaida members in its sights and Pakistan is unwilling or able to act, the US should take them out. McCain has criticized Obama's willingness to say that out loud and has said he would work with the Pakistani government to pursue Al-Qaida.

Afghanistan

Both McCain and Obama have said they would put more focus on defeating the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and eradicating Al-Qaida from Pakistan's borderlands.

Both candidates have said they would boost US troop strength in Afghanistan from the current 32,000.

The Bush administration is considering talks with "reconcilable" Taliban elements as part of its review of Afghanistan strategy. But no decision has been made and it will be up to Obama or McCain to decide whether to go ahead.

Iraq

Obama, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has called for a 16-month timetable for withdrawing US troops from Iraq to enable a greater focus on Afghanistan. McCain has rejected timelines, saying US troops should remain in Iraq as long as they are needed.

Russia

Both McCain and Obama condemned Russia's August invasion of Georgia and both favor allowing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. McCain emphasizes harsher rhetoric toward Russia and has called for kicking Russia out of the elite Group of Eight club of rich nations.

Middle East peace process

There has been little sign of progress in talks between the Israelis and Palestinians launched by President George W. Bush in Annapolis, Maryland, a year ago. But both McCain and Obama have promised a vigorous effort at Middle East peacemaking. Both have also vowed staunch support for Israel.

Improving US image

Both candidates have said they would try to strengthen ties with traditional US allies, including many in Europe, after relations were strained during the Bush administration.

Guantanamo Bay

Both McCain and Obama have called for shutting the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay. McCain has said the detainees should be moved to the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

China

McCain has said he would seek a nuclear dialogue with Beijing to boost transparency and cooperation. Obama has said he sees opportunities and challenges in China's emergence. Both candidates have promised to press China on trade.

Korean Peninsula

The Bush administration removed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from its terrorism blacklist last month in exchange for Pyongyang's agreement to verification measures for its nuclear activities.

Obama called it a "modest step forward" that the DPRK had agreed to the measures. But he said there needed to be an understanding of consequences for the DPRK if it did not follow through.

McCain expressed wariness about the deal, saying it was not clear whether it fully addressed the verification issues.

Climate change

Both candidates support a cap and trade program that would issue permits to emit greenhouse gases to big polluters, such as power generators and oil and gas companies.

(China Daily via agencies November 5, 2008)