Born in India, Newsweek International's editor Fareed Zakaria also hosts his own show on CNN, "Fareed Zakaria GPS." He was in Pittsburgh recently to speak as a guest of the Pittsburgh Middle East Institute's second annual conference. He is the author of several books including "The Post-American World." Dr. Zakaria talks about Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran and becoming a U.S. citizen.

Has President Obama succeeded in giving the U.S. a more compromising face when it comes to the rest of the world?

There's no question he's succeeded. I think that Obama has moved quite quickly and forcefully on a number of fronts. He has reached out to the Muslim world in a number of ways, most prominently his speech in Cairo, but also a speech in Istanbul and also the small changes in the way in which we conduct the so-called "War on Terror." Which is no longer called the "War on Terror." I think also, very importantly, the whole series of issues relating to Guantanamo, torture, renditions -- where he has brought the practices more in line with international treaties and conventions. He has also tried to reach out to the Chinese and the Russians. Now all of this has happened in the first six months of the administration. I think it is a remarkable change, and you can see the effects of that when you travel. Now, it doesn't solve all international problems, but it is a very good first step.

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Why aren't Russia and China more engaged in the war in Afghanistan?

The way the Russians and the Chinese have tended to deal with Afghanistan is really as America's problem. The Chinese really have very little connection or contact with Afghanistan. They have traditionally been allies of Pakistan, which has been traditionally seen as Afghanistan's rival. The Russians, as you know, had a pretty bad experience in Afghanistan and are gun-shy. But why aren't the Russians and Chinese more invested in producing regional stability? I think in a way that is one of the central challenges we face in trying to create a more stable world. How do you get the Russians and Chinese and other countries like India and Brazil to step up to the plate more? I think it's a very good question, a very fair question. I think the Bush administration's approach clearly failed, and now we are trying another approach. There are early signs on Iraq [that] it has been more successful. The Russians are being more cooperative. But it's difficult. They don't see the world quite as we do. I will give you a very simple example. International tension makes the price of oil go up. It's very bad for the United States but it is very good for Russia. You know, we have to live with that reality. We don't look at the world exactly the same way.

You talk about global economics being the best, most powerful tool anyone has in controlling political situations. How does the world apply that to terrorism?

It is a very powerful tool, but it tends to be more of a long-term tool, so your question is very apt. Fundamentally what you can try to do is create a situation where people have a powerful interest in maintaining peace and stability. They will have that powerful interest if there is a real upside economically. If you watch what's happening in Iraq, the more there is a functioning economy, greater trade with their neighbors more contact with the outside world, the more incentive everybody has to keep things stable. In the longer run you hope to create the merchant class, the middle class, the trading class because for them contact with the world and integration within the global system is all a benefit.

What about Turkey? It is a good example of a secular government in a predominantly Islamic country and seems fairly stable economically. So what is the opposition to letting it into the European Union?

The opposition, I think at some very poor level, is about religion, and perhaps one would broaden it even more and say it is about difference or race. You know these categories are a little amorphous, but I think a large number of people in Europe just look at them and say, "These are not Europeans." I think it is deeply unfortunate because if they were to allow Turkey into the European Union, what you would be doing is having this profound effect on the so-called clash of civilizations. You would be sending a signal to the world, that the European Union is based on ideas and ideals -- not on religion, on blood and soil and things like that. Allowing Turkey in would also have economic benefits. Europe needs young workers. It needs effective immigrants. Turkey is a country of 90 million that is demographically young, where the rest of Europe is demographically aging. There is a huge argument for it at the economic level, at the political level, at the strategic level. What you are trying to overcome is a very raw, I guess if I were to call a spade a spade, it's just prejudice.

As far as Iran, is it possible the government will implode?

It's a good question because I think that a regime which came to power by revolution understands how not to lose power. It also has oil money that put together makes it a long shot. The fact that you have elements within the establishment who are all now in effect in the opposition, when you have a division like that within the elite, that tends to be a sign of great instability.

So how did your parents react when you told them you were becoming an American citizen?

At that point I think they had accepted it and were happy for me. I have to say in the earlier years it was a somewhat painful position when they knew I was going to stay in America and get a green card and apply for citizenship. The process of being an immigrant, you know, there is a pain associated with it. The best part of what America is about is about embracing the new and embracing today.

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