Middle Eastern nations on Obama’s itinerary

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama said Saturday that he’ll soon travel to the Middle East and Western Europe to meet with allies and discuss terrorism, nuclear weapons and global warming.

The trip this summer will provide Obama an opportunity for face time with some of the world leaders he’d be working with if elected in November.

It also gives the 46-year-old opponent of the Iraq war an opportunity to strengthen his foreign policy credentials, which John McCain, 71, a veteran senator, Vietnam war hero and supporter of the Iraq war, has criticized as insufficient.

Obama said he will stop in Israel, Jordan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. He made no mention of whether he will meet with Palestinian officials – a potentially thorny issue as he aims to ease strains between the United States and Arab and Muslim nations while solidifying his own standing with Jewish voters at home.

“We’re building the itineraries now for each of the stops, and we’re not in a position to release any further details,” said Obama adviser Denis McDonough.

McClatchy