In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama signaled conciliation to America's foes by using the metaphor of an outstretched hand to an unclenched fist.
Already, there are signs that some of those foes were listening, sensing an opening for improved relations after eight combative years under the shrub and cabal.
Fidel Castro is said to like the new American leader, and North Korea and Iran both sounded open to new ideas to defuse nuclear-tinged tensions.
Unclear is what they will demand in return from the untested American statesman, and whether they will agree to the compromises the U.S. is likely to insist on in exchange for warmer relations.
Just a few questions:
Are the Castro brothers really willing to move toward democracy?
Can Russia and the West heal their widening estrangement?
Will Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stop being a thorn in America's side?
Analysts say they see many bright opportunities amid the perils and complexities.
"In this dangerous world, in a world where America's leverage has either been exposed as not being as strong as the rhetoric implied or where it is simply diminishing, I think Obama's approach is exactly what America needs," said Robin Niblett, the director of Chatham House, the London-based think tank.
"We need an approach that gets others to show their hand, that makes others have to think harder about their diplomacy, rather than just to react to rather strident and fixed American positions."
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It would be nice to move forward instead of backward like the last eight years. Maybe the world will see an end to conflict ... hey, it's a dream, but dreams do come true!
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