CFR.org - Op-Eds

Why Ending Child Marriage Abroad Is Good for the United States

Rachel B. Vogelstein — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:58:04 -0400

Child marriage is a global epidemic and a human rights violation that occurs across regions, cultures, and religions. According to Rachel Vogelstein, the success of U.S. efforts to foster economic growth, improve global health, and promote stability and security will grow if this persistent practice comes to an end.

The View Toward Closer U.S.-Brazil Relations

Julia E. Sweig — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:14 -0400

Julia Sweig examines Vice President Biden's upcoming trip to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Our Military, Ourselves

Micah Zenko and Amelia Wolf — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:38:37 -0400

Micah Zenko and research associate Amelia Wolf shed light on the societal problem of sexual assault. They state that recent attention has focused solely on the issue within military culture, thereby ignoring the root causes and realities of sexual assault in America.

Too Fast, Too Soon

Joshua Kurlantzick — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:49:12 -0400

Joshua Kurlantzick critiques President Obama's reaction to the recent Myanmar election.

Accountable Border Security Helps Build Public Trust

Edward Alden, Bryan Roberts, and John Whitley — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:28:27 -0400

Edward Alden, Bryan Roberts, and John Whitley argue that the Obama administration can gain the trust of Congress and a skeptical public only by developing and publicly reporting real measures on the effectiveness of border enforcement.

What the President Could Say in His Speech

Matthew C. Waxman and Robert Chesney — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:29:22 -0400

In President Obama's upcoming counterterrorism speech, Robert Chesney and Matthew Waxman explain that the president should focus on three areas that his administration has not followed through in a serious way: closing Guantanamo, working with Congress to put forceful counterterrorism actions on sound legal footing, and making targeted killing more transparent.

Worrying Signs Afghan Women's Rights Will Slip After U.S. Departure

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:36:14 -0400

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon examines women's rights in Afghanistan.

Critics Exaggerate Holes in Visa System

Edward Alden — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:08:44 -0400

According to Ted Alden, "U.S. tracking of visa overstays is not perfect, but neither is it the massive hole in immigration enforcement that too many in Congress believe exists."

It Will Take More Than Two Candidates to Change Iran

Ray Takeyh — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:10:00 -0400

Ray Takeyh writes about Iran's upcoming election.

Would a New 'Bretton Woods' Save the Global Economy?

Benn Steil — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:33:38 -0400

Benn Steil's op-ed for Paul Solman's PBS The Business Desk site looks critically at calls for "a new Bretton Woods." He argues that many of the critical precepts behind the 1944 American Bretton Woods blueprint were overturned by the Truman Administration a mere three years later, and that the operation of the Bretton Woods monetary system was far briefer and more troubled than is typically reckoned.

U.S. Action in Syria Could Sway Iran on Nukes

Meghan L. O'Sullivan — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:37:25 -0400

According to Meghan O'Sullivan, U.S. action in Syria may have implications for Iran and its nuclear program.

Bomb, Coerce or Contain Iran

Gregory D. Koblentz — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:15:42 -0400

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

Three Priorities for Pakistan's New Government

Daniel Markey — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:54:30 -0400

Daniel Markey outlines three priorities for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan as he comes in to his third non-consecutive term.

In Defense of Tesla's Price Tag

Michael A. Levi — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:51:15 -0400

According to Michael Levi , "selling Teslas (TSLA) to wealthy people today may be the best way to get electric cars to everyone tomorrow, and for the United States to eventually reduce its dependence on oil, with all the national security and economic benefits that entails."

Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia Are All Slowly Islamizing

Steven A. Cook — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:50 -0400

Steven Cook inspects the role of Islam in Egyptian, Turkish, and Tunisian society and culture.

Viewpoints: The Impact of Elections in Pakistan

Daniel Markey — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:47:54 -0400

Daniel Markey argues that the newly elected Pakistani prime minister's core agenda, "economic reform and improved ties with India—is one the United States should cheer."

A Powerful Voice for Women Around the World

Isobel Coleman — 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

Talking in Circles

Micah Zenko — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:44:33 -0400

Micah Zenko explains why the speech made by Harold Koh, former state department legal adviser, earlier this week is nothing more than a reiteration of the "fundamental myth of the Obama administration's targeted killing program."

U.S. Poor Express Strong Values, Not Self-Pity

Andrew Kohut and Michael Dimock — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:38:08 -0400

Andrew Kohut and Michael Dimock discuss the findings of their new Renewing America Working Paper.

Weatherproofing Cities to Face Future Sandys

Peter R. Orszag — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:14:00 -0400

Peter Orszag writes that making cities more resilient to the challenges of stormwater runoff is a wise investment to minimize climate change-related damage.

In Defense of Leading from Behind

Leslie H. Gelb — 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.

Like the United States?

Julia E. Sweig — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:02:29 -0400

Julia Sweig reflects on Brazil's new domestic workers law.

Pittsburgh’s Past Holds the Key to Bangalore’s Future

Charles Landow and Courtney Lobel — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:26:22 -0400

Charles Landow and Courtney Lobel trace the evolving similarities between Pittsburg and Bangalore's economic development.

Wading Into the Quagmire

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon — 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

Edward Alden — 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

Elliott Abrams — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:01:55 -0400

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

France Isn't Aiming for Nuclear Zero

Frank G. Klotz — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:51:35 -0400

Frank Klotz discusses France's new defense white paper and its implications for France's nuclear policy.

America's Best Options in Syria

Gregory D. Koblentz — 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.

Outsourcing Lethality

Micah Zenko — 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."

Fear the Weaker

Richard N. Haass — 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.