Outside of Joe Biden's comment that - if elected - Barack Obama would be tested early on in his administration, foreign policy played a minor role in the 2008 campaign, particularly at the end when the U.S. economy dominated the election. But it's likely foreign policy - particularly in the Middle East - will play a major role in Obama's administration. In fact, it appears Russia is already testing him with a speech today by Russia's president opposing U.S. missiles stationed in Europe. When you add the threat of a nuclear Iran and emoblded terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, you have a recipe for crisis.
Many analysts are already weighing in with their early assesments of what impact an Obama administration will have on the Middle East. One of those is Barry Rubin, the Director of the Global Research in International Affairs. Rubin presented a sobering view of what's ahead for the Middle East.