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Examines the political prospects for the engagement strategy of the United States with North Korea, Cuba, Iran and Iraq. Transformation of U.S. strategy towards these countries under President George W. Bush's administration; Failure of U.S. punitive policies to bring about changes in the regimes; Need for active congressional support for less-hostile relations with the countries.

The frequent failure of punitive policies - such as military force or sanctions -- to achieve foreign-policy goals at reasonable costs has catalysed a search for alternative ways of dealing with problem regimes. In this quest, engagement strategies, or the primary use of incentives to persuade governments to change their behaviour, hold great promise. At the same time, unconditional forms of engagement which extend inducements to civil society or the private sector can also effect positive changes in the long run. Although an often neglected policy option, engagement has the ability to transform many of the problematic relationships with which the United States has struggled, such as its relations with Cuba, Iran, Libya and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]