Professor Stephen Zunes talks about the "new" US empire

As military drills take place in Israel, President Obama makes a much anticipated visit to the Middle East.

Obama´s discussing Iran´s nuclear program with Saudi Arabia´s king Abdullah and he is also expected to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the development of Jewish Settlements in the West Bank.

On Thursday, Obama will deliver a speech in Cairo where many expect the President will unveil a new Arab-Israeli peace plan.

But how´s this different from George Bush´s approach to the region?

Stephen Zunes is a professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco, and a Middle East expert.  He spoke with FSRN's Nathan Moore about U.S. foreign policy during Obama's first months in office.