CFR.org - Backgrounders

UN Resolutions and the Middle East

Christopher W. Tatlock — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Summaries and links to the seminal United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions for the post-colonial period, focusing on those related to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.

Afghanistan's National Security Forces

Greg Bruno — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:08:51 -0400

The growth and strengthening of Afghanistan's domestic security forces is seen as key to an eventual U.S. exit, but some analysts caution that progress will remain slow.

The Global Health Regime

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:35:57 -0400

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to improve public health. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

Profile: Hassan Nasrallah

Eben Kaplan — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

A profile of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah.

The Lengthening List of Iran Sanctions

Greg Bruno — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:17:12 -0400

Decades of economic and diplomatic sanctions have failed to substantively alter the actions of the Iranian regime, especially regarding its nuclear program. But experts say they remain an important tool to isolate and pressure Iran.

Al-Shabaab

Stephanie Hanson — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:55:25 -0400

A profile of the Islamist militant organization based in southern Somalia.

The ISI and Terrorism: Behind the Accusations

Jayshree Bajoria and Eben Kaplan — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:00:00 -0400

Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, faces persistent accusations of links to terrorism, despite repeated denials.

U.S. Drone Activities in Pakistan

Greg Bruno — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:49:53 -0400

The reliance on unmanned drones to target terror suspects in Pakistan has been quietly lauded by U.S. officials. But the covert program, which has so far gotten little public scrutiny, is facing mounting legal and ethical concerns.

Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah)

CFR.org Staff — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

A profile of the Lebanese terrorist organization.

China-Pakistan Relations

Jamal Afridi and Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

As the United States and India move toward cementing their warmest relationship ever, India's rival, Pakistan, is broadening its ties with its own powerful ally: China.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference

Toni Johnson — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:03:32 -0400

The Obama administration sees the Organization of the Islamic Conference as a venue through which to court Muslims globally, but the group's controversial positions on some issues could pose problems.

Islamist Radicalism in Yemen

Julie Cohn — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Yemen is under increased U.S. scrutiny amid concerns that it could become a hotbed for al-Qaeda-based international terrorism. But some experts say U.S. counterterrorism involvement in Yemen could provoke a negative backlash.

The G20's Twenty Agendas

Roya Wolverson — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:31:16 -0400

The G20 meetings in Toronto will be marked by competing agendas on global growth and financial regulations. This Backgrounder looks at the range of policy concerns.

Fifteen Nuclear Agendas to Watch

Toni Johnson — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:03:10 -0400

The Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty gets underway amid new concerns about Iran and North Korea and disputes between nuclear haves and have-nots. Fifteen countries will play a special role in the debate.

Media Censorship in China

Preeti Bhattacharji, Carin Zissis and Corinne Baldwin — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Beijing has pursued increasing media regulations under President Hu Jintao. But as a flourishing China expands its international influence, many of its citizens hunger for a free flow of information.

U.S. Deepwater Drilling's Future

Toni Johnson — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:28:01 -0400

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill spotlights the growth of deepwater drilling and the challenges of balancing strong environmental regulation with efforts to expand U.S. domestic oil production.

The Four Nuclear Outlier States

Toni Johnson — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:12:44 -0400

The countries outside of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty--North Korea, Pakistan, India, and Israel--present a significant challenge for U.S. diplomacy and efforts to restrain the spread of nuclear weapons, experts say.

Pakistan's New Generation of Terrorists

Jayshree Bajoria — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:03:24 -0400

Pakistan has emerged as a terrorist sanctuary for some of the world's most violent groups, including al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and homegrown militants, that threaten the stability of Pakistan as well as the region.

The Risk of Greek Contagion

Roya Wolverson — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:29:48 -0400

Inadequate fiscal reforms in Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Italy have increased the likelihood that Greece's fiscal crisis will spread, threatening Europe's monetary union. This Backgrounder offers fiscal profiles of the five.

Profile: Al-Qaeda in Iraq (a.k.a. al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia)

Greg Bruno and Julia Jeffrey — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:39:45 -0400

U.S.military officials have called al-Qaeda in Iraq 'public enemy No. 1,' but some experts question the militant group's capabilities and relevance.

Pakistan's Constitution

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:33:00 -0400

Pakistan's constitution continues to be the focus of political struggle, with the nation's prime minister, president, regional governments, and army vying for advantage.

The Road to Financial Regulatory Reform

Roya Wolverson — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:20:47 -0400

The global financial crisis prompted Congress to press for stronger U.S. financial regulations. But experts debate what level of government involvement will help the economy long term.

Sudan's Fractured Internal Politics

Toni Johnson and Stephanie Hanson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:10:15 -0400

Experts say instability in south Sudan should be looked at in tandem with the crisis in Darfur, and some call for addressing Sudan's problems in a more unified way to help forestall an escalation of violence.

Chechen Terrorism (Russia, Chechnya, Separatist)

Preeti Bhattacharji — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Chechnya has been plagued by two wars and an ongoing insurgency since the fall of the Soviet Union. In recent years, Chechen militants have escalated attacks in the North Caucasus and revived bombings in Moscow.

U.S. Multinationals and Tax Reform

Roya Wolverson — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:03:46 -0400

Obama's proposals to tighten tax restrictions on U.S.-based multinationals have heightened debate on whether they would address persistent unemployment and the economic recovery.

Healthcare Costs and U.S. Competitiveness

Toni Johnson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:33:28 -0400

Some analysts say healthcare costs hinder U.S. industry competitiveness in the global marketplace, but it's unclear whether proposed health reforms will offer any cost relief.

State Sponsors: Cuba

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. State Department continues to list Cuba as a state sponsor of terror, though most experts say the country no longer poses a threat to U.S. national security.

Iran's Nuclear Program

Greg Bruno — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:35:43 -0500

Iran's nuclear program is believed to have steadily progressed, despite sharply increased concerns over its intentions and sanctions over its lack of transparency.

The Stimulus Report Card

Roya Wolverson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:25:08 -0500

The Obama administration says its 2009 stimulus package saved jobs and boosted growth, but Republicans and some economists worry it dampened consumer and business spending and added to long-term debt.

Alternative Views on Climate Change

Toni Johnson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:00:16 -0500

Debating global warming policy has moved to the top of agendas worldwide, but some skeptics still question whether action is necessary or possible.