President Obama has made Iran engagement a foreign policy priority. While, until now, he has managed to be all things to all people, he will soon face two tests which will force him to make significant choices.

1) The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) has asked to interview Obama as a way to reach out to the Iranian people. Should Obama choose to address the Iranian people, he must decide: Will he address the Iranian people through state media and thereby signal that the path to Iranian hearts and minds goes through the regime, or will he reach out directly using Radio Farda or Voice of America-Persian service? If the former, he will, in effect, throw the media services so important during the Cold War under the bus.

2) Iran has announced that it will place seven arrested Bahais on trial next week for alleged espionage, a capital offense. The charges are a sham. Will Obama engage Ahmadinejad under such circumstances and signal to the regime that their is no consequence for throwing religious minorities under the bus? Obama’s supporters in Washington may not pay attention, but I can guarantee that the circles around Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Khamenei will be watching closely.