CFR.org - U.S. Strategy and Politics

What is the effect of U.S. domestic political gridlock on international relations?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:35:02 -0400

There is a well-known adage that politics stops at the water's edge, but this tends to be more hope than reality. American history is filled with examples in which political disagreement at home has made it difficult for the United States to act, much less lead, abroad.

Bomb, Coerce or Contain Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:15:42 -0400

Gregory Koblentz weighs the U.S. foreign policy options toward Iran.

Why did the United States fail to join the League of Nations?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:52:09 -0400

The League of Nations was championed by President Woodrow Wilson in a fourteen-point speech to a joint session of Congress on January 8, 1918, and formally began its operations in January 1920. However, the League failed to win Senate approval and is forever remembered as a major example of a communications breakdown between the president and the Senate.

Should the United States devalue its currency and what would the global implications be?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:53:16 -0400

Generally, for advanced countries with deep and liquid capital markets like the United States, the best policy is to allow these markets to determine exchange rates.

Why should the United States pay attention to the impoverished and economically devastated North Korea?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:20:32 -0400

North Korea, formally called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), remains a top security concern for the United States, despite its moribund economy. The DPRK poses a serious potential military threat to its neighbors and to U.S. military bases and allies in the Pacific.

A Powerful Voice for Women Around the World

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:01:16 -0400

In a Room for Debate blog post for the New York Times, Isobel Coleman discusses Hillary Clinton's legacy as former secretary of state

National Strategy for the Arctic Region

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:25:30 -0400

President Barack Obama signed this strategy on May 10, 2013, ahead of June 2013 meetings with Alaska natives, Alaska officials, and other Arctic stakeholders.

Is the American use of drones legally sound?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:21:01 -0400

Both the Bush and Obama administrations have concluded that the use of drones to kill al-Qaeda leaders is permissible under both U.S. domestic law and international law.

In Defense of Leading from Behind

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:14:39 -0400

"Going forward, the United States has no choice but to embrace the sound underpinnings of leading from behind," writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Wading Into the Quagmire

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:49:57 -0400

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon outlines the biggest challenges facing recently appointed State Department Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador James Dobbins.

What Canada Can Teach GOP on Immigration

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:35:10 -0400

Edward Alden writes that the GOP should embrace immigration reform and follow the Canadian Conservative Party's example on how to woo the immigrant vote.

Benghazi Truths vs. Washington Politics

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:01:55 -0400

Elliott Abrams discusses the latest House hearing on the Benghazi embassy attack of September 11, 2012.

Resilient American Values

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:09 -0400

Despite an extended period of economic difficulty, Pew pollsters Andrew Kohut and Michael Dimock show that Americans' core values and beliefs about economic opportunity remain largely optimistic and unchanged.

America's Best Options in Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:48:53 -0400

Gregory Koblentz argues that the United States' best option for a response to the conflict in Syria is not simply arming the rebels, pushing for UN sanctions, indicting Assad, or pressuring Russia—rather, it is a combination of all four.

Is the United States prepared to go to war with North Korea if necessary?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:47:48 -0400

Since North Korea conducted its latest nuclear test in February 2013, a spiral of heightened international pressure and increasingly threatening provocations by Pyongyang has ensued.

Outsourcing Lethality

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:49:41 -0400

Micah Zenko explains why critics of U.S. targeted killing policies should not overlook "similar attacks conducted by allies and partners who receive U.S. money, weapons, or actionable intelligence."

"Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:00:51 -0400

Richard N. Haass discusses his new book, Foreign Policy Begins at Home, in which he puts forward a new foreign policy doctrine of Restoration, where the United States limits its engagement in wars of choice and humanitarian interventions abroad, and focuses on restoring the foundations of its power at home.

"Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:00:20 -0400

HBO History Makers Series with Paul Volcker

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:49:19 -0400

Paul Volcker discusses the U.S. economy and his career.

"Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:25:37 -0400

Fear the Weaker

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:54:08 -0400

America's generals understandably spend much of their time worrying about strong countries, notes Richard N. Haass. But in today's world, when the consequences of weakness in the remotest areas can quickly become global, the United States arguably has more to fear from weak countries.

HBO History Makers Series with Paul Volcker

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:01:34 -0400

Paul Volcker discusses the U.S. economy and his career.

What is preventing international action in Syria?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:51:34 -0400

A number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Qatar, have been providing support to the opposition in various forms, ranging from humanitarian aid to military supplies, such as weapons, armor, and communication devices. However, these efforts have not been enough to turn the tide, and after three years of fighting, a diplomatic solution still seems unlikely.

The World Next Week: May 2, 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:04:51 -0400

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: South Korean President Park visits the United States; Pakistan holds its general election; and French president Francois Hollande and Russian president Vladimir Putin mark one-year anniversaries in office.

Bringing It All Back Home

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:16:40 -0400

Only by getting its own house in order will the United States be in a position to set an example other societies will want to emulate, argues CFR President Richard N. Haass. And only by fixing itself will the United States possess the resources necessary to discourage or deal with the emergence of a serious political and military competitor.

Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:51:57 -0400

CFR President Richard N. Haass discusses his new book, Foreign Policy Begins at Home.

Medicare Should Pay for Patients, Not Treatments

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:04:13 -0400

Peter Orszag argues that giving health-care providers a fixed payment for each Medicare beneficiary could provide a path forward between competing views of health care reform offered by Republicans and Democrats.

Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:58:41 -0400

CFR President Richard N. Haass discusses his new book, Foreign Policy Begins at Home.

Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America's House in Order

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:50:18 -0400

Viewpoint: Five Myths About Mexico

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:29:04 -0400

Shannon O'Neil debunks five myths about Mexico.