resident Barack Obama spent his first year in office laying the foundation for a new, multilateral U.S. foreign policy.

While it is too early to talk of an “Obama Doctrine”, a signature aspect of his foreign policy has been his offer to extend a hand to U.S. foes like Iran and North Korea.

WHAT HAS THE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY YIELDED?

Obama made his most visible overtures toward Tehran, including sending a video message last year to mark the New Year celebration of Nowruz. But the administration has also tried to engage North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar and Syria.

The strategy has yet to yield breakthroughs but the administration believes it has achieved results, particularly on Iran where Washington is seeking international support for sanctions to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.

The White House says its offer to talk to Tehran created more international support to isolate Iran because the United States is no longer perceived as the problem.