Foreign policy success could be high point of Obama's legacy

AT a moment when the eyes of much of the world are on Greece, one of the most critical moments in Barack Obama's presidency is also fast approaching. Within a few days, it is possible that the president could secure not just a final, historic nuclear deal with Iran, but also domestic legislation that could enable two potentially game-changing trade agreements - the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) - allowing the country to help write what US officials have called "the rules of the road" for the 21st Century world economy.

Success with these major foreign policy initiatives could be the high point of Mr Obama's second term of office, thus embedding US influence in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East; and, in turn, become a major part of his presidential legacy as his tenure in the White House begins to slowly wind down.

The Iranian deal remains subject to frenetic diplomacy with a June 30 deadline fast approaching that the so-called P5+1 (United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany and France) have set for a comprehensive, permanent nuclear agreement.