Yesterday afternoon the Rumi Forum hosted foreign policy analyst, former diplomat, and independent consultant Stuart Schwartzstein to discuss the challenges facing the Obama administration in the Middle East.

Schwartzstein noted that the worldwide economic downturn will affect every county’s ability to project power abroad. He said there is a strong need to reduce U.S. military costs and emphasize other instruments of U.S. foreign policy. He also discussed policy differences between the Bush and Obama administrations on Israel/Palestine, Iran, and Iraq.

For POMED’s notes on the event, click here.