New book takes a look into president' foreign policy

This transcript is automatically generated

-- official is calling this weekend's meeting between Iran and several world powers constructive and useful.

But Israel's prime minister says Iran has gotten yet another pass when it comes to Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Joining us now to talk about the international challenges the Obama administration is facing if Michael can't let.

Author of a brand new book bending history Barack Obama's foreign policy Michael great seat to become an -- -- And -- book touches on so many different areas because the world is such a complicated place right now -- let's start with Iran the talks this weekend.

They're going to media and the powers again in May in Baghdad.

What do you make -- Israel's contention the prime minister anyway that Iran is despondent till five more weeks to keep working on its new program.

Well as long as we don't get into that concept and we don't lighten up the pressure then we can hopefully avoid that potential there's no doubt that Iran has at least two possible motives and that's one is to actually do a deal because the squeezing -- so -- so intense.

But the other is as the Israeli official worries just to play for time.

And the way that can be successful is if we somehow treat the beginning of negotiations.

As a major concession in and of itself and might not on the pressure.

But if we keep the oil sanctions that are -- to -- -- more firmly this summer in place then we'll be OK and we haven't changed anything about the trajectory that we were -- And this is not something new to this administration in these problems -- the -- and going on for numerous administrations how do you account how this particular administration has done.

-- -- fascinating for President Obama and Martin Indyk and Ken Lieberthal Michael authors on this really exploring some detail as well because of course -- Obama campaigned.

As the guy -- is -- established a -- with dictators like this and that seemed a little bit hopeful to put it kindly.

At the time.

And that of course present Obama went along with the Iranian.

Regime in a sense trying to reach out and -- them in his early months in office until they stole the June 2009 election.

Lot of people -- critical that he was so open to trying to improve relations but the good news about how Obama's handled it is that since that time in June 2009.

He's really tighten things up and he's used as sort of leverage the fact that he really -- The world saw him trying to improve relations with Iran so and Iran had no interest in that people knew who to blame.

And that's part of why at least initially Russia and China went along with a tighter sanctions now as you know.

This is a work in progress because Russia and China are no longer going along quite so much and of course Iran hasn't stop its nuclear program so it's very much of an interim assessment of how -- -- I think it's been reasonably good so far.

But all it's done is get us to a point where we hopefully have put pressure on Iran -- we'll have to see what happens next.

Let's turn to Afghanistan as well which of course has been a source of major controversy at with this administration -- with a drop -- and and other steps in the process.

Again we have word this morning of violence spread all across the country.

With in numerous attacks and and you -- different things that the details are still coming in but it does not sound good.

Now although this is the kind of thing the -- bond knows how to do and they know how it plays here.

And so they spend six months seven months which is the time since their last attack in Kabul planning this and we'll have to see.

And hope that the violence is modest and that the casualties are few in these attacks but generally speaking they create a lot more of an aura.

Major damage.

And they actually cause and generally the suicide attackers or the non suicide attackers wind -- suffering the greatest number of casualties and the Afghan security forces are usually the ones who do most of the work putting down.

The attack and that's my expectation of what will happen today I was too soon enough bottom line we have to remember -- accounts for less than 1% of all the violence nationwide.

Which is good news it's a safer capital city than.

Certainly Baghdad probably Mexico City probably -- -- -- And on balance it's the Afghan army and police that are doing most of the good work securing it having -- all that it's a bad day and I would be silly if I could deny that.

Well we are hearing -- positive reports about how their own security forces have responded -- that's certainly.

The positive in this is Michael -- best of luck to you and your co authors and -- not great see you thank you kinda.

Watch Live

New book takes a look into president' foreign policy

Details

Clips

America's News HQ

Osteoporosis drug blocks growth of breast cancer cells

Potential breakthrough in fight against breast cancer

Should we trust anyone in Washington to lead?

Are scandals a sign of Obama's decline?

Some lawmakers want more action taken in Syria

Immigration reform bill faces hurdles

Six months later, Newtown families call for action

Boston terror hearing: What did the FBI do wrong?

FEMA denies funding to rebuild West, Texas

Study: 95 percent of people don't wash hands properly

Health screenings for men of all ages

Vegetable fat tied to lower prostate cancer death risk

Transcript

Recommended