CFR.org - Daily Analysis

Legitimacy Questions in Afghanistan

Robert McMahon — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:17:42 -0500

The decision by the main Afghan presidential challenger to drop out of the runoff contest raises new doubts about incumbent Hamid Karzai's viability as partner in the U.S. effort to counter Taliban forces in increasingly shaky Afghanistan.

The Cost of Commitment in Afghanistan

Greg Bruno — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:40:08 -0400

As President Barack Obama ponders his next move in Afghanistan, civilian and military strategists are pushing different approaches on the way forward in a war soon to become America's longest.

Time to Talk to Iran

Greg Bruno — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:13:40 -0400

Talks in Geneva over Iran's nuclear program ended with Tehran vowing to cooperate with UN inspectors. However, analysts remain divided on how lasting the gains will be.

The Purpose of the Afghan War

Robert McMahon — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:56:20 -0400

Amid fresh signs U.S. military leaders are expected to request more troops for the Afghan war, debate continues to mount over Afghanistan's importance to U.S. security.

Conditioning a U.S.-Iranian Dialogue

Greg Bruno — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:30:55 -0400

The Obama administration has agreed to talks with Iran. Analysts are divided on whether dialogue will move the needle on nuclear negotiations, or strengthen calls for tougher action.

Ill Trade Winds with Beijing

Robert McMahon — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:06:58 -0400

Some analysts say the U.S.-China disagreement over tire imports could provoke a damaging trade dispute at a time when the two giant economies are needed to lead global economic growth.

Rethinking Afghanistan

Greg Bruno — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:22:55 -0400

The top commander in Afghanistan has called for a new strategy, and possibly more troops. But some analysts wonder whether the nearly eight-year-old war is still worth fighting.

CIA Probe and the Torture Debate

CFR.org Staff — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:16:20 -0400

The U.S. attorney general's decision to conduct a preliminary review of past CIA interrogations awakens spirited debate over the scope of the intelligence community's counterterrorism practices.

Governing Afghanistan

Robert McMahon — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:45:41 -0400

Regardless of the victor in this week's Afghan presidential elections, some analysts say Western forces must remain committed to the counterinsurgency effort to strengthen the state against a growing Taliban threat.

The Next Chapter in Iraq

Greg Bruno — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:33:11 -0400

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Barack Obama struck a note of cooperation in their latest meeting. But some Western observers worry the Obama administration is not focused enough on Iraq's simmering problems.

Progress and Challenges in India Trip

Robert McMahon — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:36:45 -0400

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has sought to advance burgeoning strategic ties with India in a high-profile visit. The most substantive outcome of her trip could be new economic links, say some analysts.

Seeking Substance in Moscow

Greg Bruno — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:33:16 -0400

In Moscow, President Barack Obama will focus on improving U.S.-Russia relations, which suffered during the final years of the Bush administration. But analysts say moving beyond rhetoric toward substantive change could be complicated by history and competing interests.

A Shaky Iraq's Sovereign Step

Greg Bruno — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:38:48 -0400

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities was a relatively easy benchmark to meet, analysts say. Many are unsure whether the country can withstand a complete U.S. pullout in less than two years.

Treading Carefully on Iran

Greg Bruno and Robert McMahon — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:10:49 -0400

A day after U.S. President Barack Obama harshly condemned Iran's leadership for post-election violence, some analysts believe the United States will have no choice but to scale back promised overtures to the Iranian regime

The Tehran Test

CFR.org Staff — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:59:24 -0400

The Iranian government's response to public uproar over the presidential polls is raising questions about its power base and stability. Experts say the turmoil poses tricky questions for U.S. policymakers hoping to engage Iran's government.

Gauging Hezbollah After the Vote

CFR.org Staff — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:54:47 -0400

A pro-Western coalition appears to have defeated Hezbollah in Lebanon's parliamentary vote, but analysts say the group will likely continue to be a power broker in Lebanese politics.

The Reset Button On U.S.-Muslim Dialogue

CFR.org Staff — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:28:14 -0400

President Obama's address to Muslims in Cairo aimed to prepare the ground for new engagement with Muslims to get beyond tensions stirred by war, terrorism, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

China's Role in the World

Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:38:39 -0400

This Issue Guide offers in-depth resources on China's response to some critical domestic and international issues.

Geithner's Rebalancing Bid

Lee Hudson Teslik — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:14:33 -0400

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner called for a global rebalancing and sought to reassure China, the largest holder of U.S. debt, about the health of the dollar. Experts say this shift is needed but some Chinese remain skeptical about the U.S. currency.

Issue Guide: Western Europe and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:35:42 -0400

A compilation of resources on how the global financial crisis has been felt in Western Europe.

Issue Guide: The United States and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:29:01 -0400

A compilation of resources on how the financial crisis has affected the United States.

Issue Guide: South Asia and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:18:28 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on South Asia.

Issue Guide: Russia and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:10:46 -0400

A compilation of resources on how the global financial crisis has affected Russia.

Issue Guide: The Middle East and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:59:32 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on the Middle East.

Issue Guide: Latin America and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:50:20 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on Latin America.

Issue Guide: Japan and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:40:47 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on Japan.

Issue Guide: International Institutions and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:28:43 -0400

A compilation of resources on the global financial crisis and international institutions.

Issue Guide: China and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:21:46 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on China.

Issue Guide: Britain and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:15:04 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on Britain.

Issue Guide: Africa and the Global Financial Crisis

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:05:13 -0400

A compilation of resources on the impact of the global financial crisis on Africa.