THE INTERNATIONAL positive reaction to President Barack Obama's election was unprecedented. It has been expected that such enthusiasm would help the United States to overcome challenges to its foreign policy.

The decision of the Norwegian Committee to award him the Nobel Prize for Peace was related to Obama's vision for a world free from nuclear weapons, his emphasis on negotiations and dialogues as the method for resolving international disputes rather than wars and his overture toward the Muslim world.

As I indicated on this page before, Obama was the first Western leader to address the Muslim world recognizing the contribution of the Islamic civilization to world peace.

The first challenge is to achieve peace and justice in his diplomacy with the Muslim world. The end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and to the strangulation of the lives of Palestinian people is the priority. However, many are perplexed that until now Obama has failed in his efforts to achieve a small step to freeze the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.

Obama's success in ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories will be the litmus test for his policies in the Middle East. As for Iraq, United States troops are not engaged in combat activities on a wide scale, but provide support to the government which is incapable of bringing peace and prosperity to its people due to its sectarian

As for Afghanistan, despite the end of the fraudulent electoral process and the installation of President Hamid Karzai for another term, there is no viable solution in the horizon.

Drug trade and corruption are dominating the economy, and poverty and other social problems are spreading.

In Pakistan, violence and deteriorating social and economic conditions relate to policies of the previous and current governments including the encouragement of the military to determine vital issues.

Iran faces internal and external crises as a result of the disputed presidential elections and its nuclear program. The region is living under constant fear of possible military confrontation due to nuclear issues.

Therefore, Obama should consider new policies toward the Muslim world.

As for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, ending the Israeli occupation of the territories occupied in 1967 cannot be delayed further. If Israel persists in its policies, the United States should not prevent the United Nations Security Council from adopting measures to force Israel to end its occupation and the plight of the Palestinian people.

The Security Council should also order the Iraqi government to end its sectarian policies by releasing tens of thousand of political prisoners and detainees and to conclude a national reconciliation accord between Iraqi political, religious and social groups.

The next elections in Iraq should be held under the supervision of the United Nations and in accordance with international standards. The United States troops should expedite their withdrawal from Iraq.

With regard to Afghanistan, the Security Council should deal directly with the situation by intensifying efforts to achieve national reconciliation and to end corruption and illegal drug trade. Then United States troops should begin its withdrawal from Afghanistan once the Security Council is in charge.

United States assistance is needed in Pakistan to help the people to end poverty and illiteracy and ultimately to bring about political and social reforms rather than to strengthen the hands of the government, which is becoming increasingly unpopular.

As for the Iranian nuclear crises, the entire Middle East (including Israel) should be an area free from nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Security Council should be encouraged to achieve this goal. Military means should be avoided to solve this problem. Democratic forces in Iran and the entire Middle East should be assisted by the international community to ensure true democratic reforms, respect for human rights and a system of government responsive to the needs of its peoples and to international concerns.

This is the way to strengthen international peace and security. There is still a hope that Obama will bring peace, justice and prosperity to the world. All Americans should help him to achieve this lofty goal.

Araim is an adjunct professor, Muslim imam, former United Nations senior political affairs officer and Iraqi diplomat. He is a resident of Walnut Creek.