WASHINGTON (AP) — Images of angry mobs in Arab cities burning American flags and attacking U.S. diplomatic posts suggest the Muslim world is no less enraged at the United States than when President George W. Bush had to duck shoes hurled at him in Baghdad.

But more than three years after President Barack Obama declared in Cairo that he would seek "a new beginning" in U.S.-Muslim relations, a closer look reveals strides as well as setbacks.

Recent turmoil threatens to obscure progress in mending fences since the George W. Bush era.

The 78-year-old eminence grise, who favors a moderate approach toward the West, could have at least one major power play left.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator called a meeting with Catherine Ashton a day earlier "positive and fruitful."

The drill comes as tensions with Iran over its nuclear program rise and civil war in Syria rages.

Efforts on restarting talks have gained urgency over fears that Israel could attack Iran's nuclear installations.

BEIRUT (AP) — For the embattled Syrian regime, the crudely produced film mocking Islam that has unleashed fury across the Muslim world could not have come at a better time.

Images of furious protesters targeting Western diplomatic sites in Libya, Egypt, Pakistan and elsewhere have diverted the world's gaze from the bloodstained streets of Syria, where President Bashar Assad is trying to crush an 18-month-old uprising.

Top E.U. and Iranian representatives met in Istanbul to look for a breakthrough on restarting nuclear talks.

The move comes just days after the U.S. and more than two dozen allies began naval exercises nearby.

Sometimes it seems as if Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney has two running mates: Paul Ryan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.