CFR.org - U.S. Strategy and Politics

The Fall of the Wall and American Grand Strategy

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:43:28 -0500

The fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago marked a triumph of the U.S. strategy of containment. But U.S. policymakers have been struggling to establish new guidelines for confronting the world's complex challenges.

Miami Herald: Is U.S. facing a dead end?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:53:54 -0500

Marifeli Perez-Stable discusses the leakage by El País of Obama's message to Raul Castro, warning that if the administration doesn't "break the tired two-step" of Cuban-American relations soon, it may be too late.

President Obama Tours Asia

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:28:46 -0500

Ahead of President Obama's Asia trip, CFR experts Sheila Smith, Joshua Kurlantzick, Elizabeth Economy, and Scott Snyder discuss what the president should focus on during his visit to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea.

Pull the Plug on the Afghan Surge

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:51:43 -0500

"General Stanley McChrystal's plan to pursue counterinsurgency in the countryside is a bridge too far," write Steve Simon and Charles Kupchan, arguing, instead, that Afghanistan policy should be focused on establishing control in strategic locations.

Karzai's Moment of Opportunity

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:29:07 -0500

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad says the Obama administration must determine how to use its leverage to help shape a competent government in Kabul.

In Bed With Warlords

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:52 -0500

Walter Russell Mead says that it should come as no surprise that the U.S.'s work in Afghanistan has led to deals with "dark forces" and "unsavory" characters and the fact that many Americans are surprised by this revelation is a telling insight into the "American soul."

Carpet Bombing

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:53:54 -0500

"There’s no doubt that Pakistan is the toughest and most dangerous problem in American foreign policy," writes Walter Russell Mead, adding that the crucial topic of India is often underestimated when the U.S.'s relationship with Pakistan is considered.

Stalled Out All Over the World

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:40:31 -0500

Les Gelb points to stalled U.S. efforts in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and others as evidence that "Barack Obama has arrived at a terrible moment of truth in foreign policy."

Media Conference Call: CFR Scholars Return from AfPak Region (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:28:20 -0400

CFR's Daniel Markey and Max Boot call for a sustained U.S. commitment to stabilizing shaky governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Don't Rush the Afghan Debate

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:05:14 -0400

Micah Zenko writes that although many are growing impatient waiting for President Obama to launch an Afghanistan strategy, it is prudent to let the deliberations play out so that he can get the strategy right.

Fox News' Surprising Constituency

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:47:54 -0400

Lydia Khalil writes that because of their national background, a surprising number of Arabs are able to relate to the viewpoints of Fox News.

Media Conference Call: CFR Scholars Return from AfPak Region

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:48:33 -0400

Following a visit to the AfPak region, CFR Senior Fellows Max Boot and Daniel Markey discuss the prospects for Afghanistan's stability and give their recommendations for U.S. foreign policy in South Asia.

A Broad Dialogue With Muslims Worldwide

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:43:01 -0400

Farah Pandith, U.S. special representative to the world's Muslim communities, says the new position will aim to build constructive relationships with Muslims at all levels of society to counter extremism.

Afghanistan: Defining the Possibilities (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:27 -0400

Listen to Senator John F. Kerry deliver a congressional perspective on U.S. policy and the current situation in Afghanistan as the administration continues to review its strategy in the region.

U.S. Strategy on Afghanistan (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:16 -0400

At a CFR meeting, U.S. Senator John Kerry opposed a major troop increase in Afghanistan, stressing the need for developing the country's security forces and governing capacity.

24 Hours With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:21:20 -0400

Leslie Gelb spends a day with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as she goes through her "grueling and inspirational" regular duties.

The United States in the New Asia

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:25:07 -0400

For more than a decade, the United States has mostly watched from the sidelines as Asian countries organize themselves into an alphabet soup of new multilateral groups. In this report, the authors review the relationship between pan-Asian and trans-Pacific institutions and suggest policy guidelines for a new U.S. approach to this new Asian landscape. A purposeful multilateralism that pools the efforts of those with the greatest capacity, the authors argue, could make Asia a more prosperous and secure region.

Trying to Part the Iron Curtain

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:51:38 -0400

As part of the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship 60th Anniversary initiative current and former fellows discuss the stories that have had the most impact and present ideas for sustaining serious international journalism. Former fellow Morrie Helitzerrecalls an anecdote of him trying to penetrate the Iron Curtain of the Soviets soon after World War II.

Global Economic Trends: The Business of Aid

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:51:08 -0400

The private sector is recognized as the engine of economic growth, and growth is recognized as a key condition for poverty alleviation. But effectively promoting private investment in the developing world has proven to be a major challenge for those in the field. R. Glenn Hubbard and Lars H. Thunell discuss the relationship between foreign aid and local business in the developing world.

'The News Industry is a Public Service'

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:55:07 -0400

As part of the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship 60th Anniversary initiative current and former fellows discuss the stories that have had the most impact and present ideas for sustaining serious international journalism. Former fellow Manjeet Kripalani talks about spotting the early trends in globalization towards India and her coverage of that trend. She goes on to propose a shift in the news industry that would see news organizations from countries like India and Mexico take on the void left by western organizations that are increasingly deprived of funding.

Global Economic Trends: The Business of Aid (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:56 -0400

Watch experts break down the relationship between foreign aid and local business in the developing world.

Global Economic Trends: The Business of Aid (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:06 -0400

Listen to experts break down the relationship between foreign aid and local business in the developing world.

Journalists, Media Executives Emphasize Ways to Sustain Quality International Reporting

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:25:35 -0400

A recap of the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship 60th Anniversary Event including summaries of the four sessions.

U.S. Policy on Sudan: "A Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:18 -0400

Strategy

China 2025: Panel I: Challenges from Within: Emerging Domestic Challenges

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:59:36 -0400

A panel of China experts evaluates China's domestic challenges.

China 2025: Opening Remarks

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:35:18 -0400

Elizabeth Economy and Randall Schriver introduce the Council on Foreign Relations Conference on China 2025.

China 2025: Keynote I: China’s Rise: Strategic Implications for Asia (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:05:17 -0400

Listen as Aaron Friedberg, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, breaks down the strategic challenges we face with China's rise in the world.

This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.

China 2025: Keynote I: China’s Rise: Strategic Implications for Asia (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:05:08 -0400

Watch Aaron Friedberg, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, break down the strategic challenges we face with China's rise in the world.

This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.

China 2025: Panel II: China Goes Global (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:04:52 -0400

Watch experts as they examine China's future global outlook.

This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.

China 2025: Panel II: China Goes Global (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:04:16 -0400

Listen to experts as they examine China's future global outlook.

This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.