I am sure that cancellation of the Bush plans to install missile sites in Poland and the resumption of talks with Russia about decreasing the number of missiles and decreasing tensions was strong in the minds of the jury.

The war in Afghanistan is not just by the U. S. but includes NATO countries and thus has their governments' approval; a change in Western policies in the region may be slow in coming.

It my mind, diplomacy and incentives should replace armed conflict, but only a minority of Western leaders see it that way.
On home ground, Obama would have to oppose a majority of the elected Congressmen in both the House and Senate.