CFR.org - Analysis Brief

Issue Guide: Boston Bombings and Terrorism

Jonathan Masters — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:24:22 -0400

The deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon raise anew the vulnerability of U.S. civilian targets and homeland security policy dilemmas, as examined in this CFR Issue Guide.

Issue Guide: Venezuela's Challenging Next Chapter

Brianna Lee — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:04:25 -0400

Venezuela's next leader must confront rampant crime, economic distortions, and political divisions. This Issue Guide provides background and analysis on Sunday's election and the post-Chávez era.

Tracking the Iraq War

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:35:56 -0400

Trace the Iraq war campaign through ten CFR meetings that assembled some of the leading foreign policy analysts and news figures of the past decade.

Issue Guide: Iraq Invasion Ten Years After

Andrea Palatnik — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:53:30 -0400

This guide provides expert analysis and background on some of the central issues facing Iraq ten years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Issue Guide: Venezuela Under Chávez

Robert McMahon — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:46:35 -0500

The death of Hugo Chávez raises major questions about the stability of Venezuela, with implications for the region, and Cuban relations in particular, according to this Issue Guide.

Issue Guide: 2013 State of the Union Address

Jeanne Park — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:36:58 -0500

President Barack Obama will deliver his fourth State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 12. The following materials offer a guide to understanding issues high on the president's priorities list.

Issue Guide: U.S. Presidential Transition

Toni Johnson — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:25:24 -0500

This CFR Issue Guide provides resources and analysis on President Obama's inauguration and the foreign policy challenges facing his second administration.

Issue Guide: The World in 2012

Newsteam Staff — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 11:08:55 -0500

A guide to CFR materials that highlight and discuss this past year's turning points and developments. Plus, forecasts from a range of experts on economic and political trends to watch for in 2013.

Crisis in Euroland: Year in Review

Christopher Alessi — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:28:11 -0500

EU leaders took significant steps forward to rein in the eurozone crisis in 2012, but have struggled to implement meaningful, long-term reforms to develop a more integrated Europe.

Issue Guide: Foreign Policy and the Presidency

CFR.org Staff — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:56:51 -0500

This Issue Guide provides resources highlighting the foreign policy and national security implications of the U.S. presidential campaign and the challenges facing the next administration.

Editor's Note: Click here for CFR Issue Trackers on candidate positions and other 2012 campaign resources, which examine the foreign policy and national security dimensions of the presidential race.

Ten Foreign Policy Quotes from the Candidates

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:12:54 -0400

Read short takes from the U.S. presidential candidates on ten critical foreign policy issues.

Issue Guide: Muslims Protest Depictions of Mohammed

Toni Johnson — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:29:26 -0400

Anti-U.S. protests continue to spread across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. This Issue Guide provides expert analysis on the causes and implications of the crisis.

Issue Guide: Syria's Escalating Crisis

Jonathan Masters — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:34:40 -0400

As the United States and others look for new policy options on intervention and a post-Assad period, this CFR Issue Guide provides expert analysis and background on the escalating conflict in Syria.

Issue Guide: Eurozone Crisis

Jeanne Park — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:56:16 -0400

The ongoing eurozone debt crisis continues to threaten the future of the single currency, even as European policymakers work to forge a closer political and fiscal union, explains this CFR Issue Guide.

Issue Guide: Egypt's Tenuous Road to Democracy

Jonathan Masters — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:27:08 -0400

In the wake of Egypt's tightly contested presidential election, this CFR Issue Guide provides expert analysis and essential background on the country's evolving political situation as the civilian leadership faces a growing power struggle with the military.

New Trial for Afghanistan Mission

Christopher Alessi — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:42:44 -0400

The killing of Afghan civilians allegedly by a U.S. soldier aggravates U.S.-Afghan ties, raises fresh doubts about talks with the Taliban, and feeds debate about strategy to end the war.

Tensions Over Germany's Euro Role

Christopher Alessi — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:12:00 -0500

Anti-Germany protests in Athens have highlighted the country's complicated role as de facto leader of Europe while raising concerns about the continent's ability to advance difficult solutions to the sovereign debt crisis.

Russia's Sober Presidential Vote

Robert McMahon — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:16:09 -0500

Vladimir Putin is expected to regain Russia's presidency despite a surge in public disapproval. Unknown is whether the vote will trigger widespread domestic protest or spur a downturn in Russia's relations with Washington.

Can U.S.-Afghan Partnership Work?

Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:50:54 -0500

The violence against U.S. troops in the aftermath of Quran burnings has raised fresh doubts over the U.S.-Afghan partnership and the mission in Afghanistan.

Rescue or Risk for Greece?

Christopher Alessi — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:25:48 -0500

Greece appears to have averted imminent default, but its recovery prospects remain clouded by the severity of its planned austerity measures and the impact cutbacks have already had on its stricken economy.

Securing U.S. Cyberspace

Jonathan Masters — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:37:13 -0500

Most critical information systems in the United States are operated by the private sector and remain vulnerable to cyber attacks. Newly proposed legislation would require businesses to meet minimum standards of protection, but has raised concerns about regulatory overreach.

The Iran Diplomacy Puzzle

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:25:13 -0500

Iran says it's ready to negotiate on its contentious nuclear program, but questions abound over Tehran's domestic politics and what confidence-building measures the West and Iran can agree upon.

The 2013 Budget and Corporate Taxes

Jonathan Masters — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:54:55 -0500

As the White House releases the 2013 budget, corporate taxation could be an issue where Congress can find compromise in fiscal policy. Both parties agree the current corporate tax regime is inefficient and often disadvantages U.S. businesses globally.

Does the Greek Deal Go Far Enough?

Christopher Alessi — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:36:13 -0500

Even as Greek leaders agree to new austerity measures, the IMF is calling on Greece's official creditors to take losses on its bond holdings. Analysts and policymakers increasingly question the wisdom of EU-mandated austerity measures at the expense of growth.

Syria's Deepening Crisis

Jayshree Bajoria — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:38:14 -0500

Amid increasing fears of a civil war in Syria following the failure of the UN Security Council resolution, analysts remain divided over the question of intervention and how best to address the crisis.

Drawing Down in Afghanistan

Jonathan Masters — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:08:19 -0500

The Pentagon's plan for an end to U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2013 has drawn familiar battle lines in the public debate over the proper endgame for the war.

The Florida Primary and Immigration

Toni Johnson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:47:51 -0500

As GOP candidates vie for Florida, analysts say immigration remains a major issue for the presidential contest, but whether comprehensive reform can be achieved in the current political climate is unclear.

The Debate Over Anti-Piracy Laws

Toni Johnson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:21:21 -0500

Two controversial U.S. anti-piracy bills have spotlighted the growing challenge of how to protect intellectual copyrights, particularly across international borders, without compromising Internet freedom.

Eurozone Fears Permeate Davos

Christopher Alessi — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:05:47 -0500

Political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos are focused on the ongoing eurozone sovereign debt crisis, with some cautioning that Germany is not doing enough to resolve the crisis and facilitate growth.

Can Sanctions Bring Iran to the Table?

Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:13:03 -0500

The EU's oil embargo is part of a larger Western effort to pressure Iran to reengage over its disputed nuclear program, but some debate the merits of intensified diplomacy with the regime in Tehran.