Aides said the incoming Democratic president wants to explore a more regional strategy in Afghanistan, including the possibility of negotiations with Tehran. During the campaign, Mr Obama described Afghanistan as the central front in the war on terror. He also said he was open to unconditional talks with Iran, later adjusting his position to say that proper groundwork would have to be in place first. Aides also revealed he intended to renew the commitment to hunting down Osama bin Laden. Security advisers to the president-elect were quoted as saying Mr Obama believes the Bush administration has scaled down the hunt for the al-Qaeda leader after years of failing to apprehend him.
