CFR.org - Analysis Brief

Confronting the Change in Climate

Toni Johnson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:51:46 -0400

Pakistan's devastating floods and Russia's massive heat wave this summer have placed new scrutiny on the role of climate change. Experts worry about the pace of government policy responses.

Housing Clouds Economic Recovery

Roya Wolverson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:02:41 -0400

Dismal U.S. housing data and uncertainty over the Obama administration's housing plans are adding to fears of another recession--and raising new concerns over the global recovery.

Iran's Reactor Fuels Hopes and Fears

Deborah Jerome — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:56:18 -0400

The startup of the Bushehr nuclear plant is feeding worries about Iran's nuclear agenda and talk about whether sanctions are failing.

The Struggling Economic Recovery

Roya Wolverson — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:44:28 -0400

Despite some positive economic data, analysts say China's undervalued currency, rising U.S. imports, and risky Fed policies continue to threaten the global economic recovery.

U.S. Withdrawal Echoes in Iraq

Deborah Jerome — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:29:11 -0400

While President Barack Obama defends the U.S. troop drawdown in Iraq this month, U.S. and Iraqi military officials are seeking a longer force commitment.

The Costs of Pakistan's Floods

Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:47:43 -0400

Pakistan's floods are likely to cause setbacks for the country's development and its fight against militancy. Experts say the international community must intensify aid efforts and continue to support the country's democratic institutions.

A Deluge of Woe in Pakistan

Jayshree Bajoria — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:28:58 -0400

Pakistan's latest bout of struggles with rampant floods, violence, and terrorism raise new questions about its governing capacity and stability. Experts say international support for the country is crucial.

Can Sanctions Bring Iran to the Table?

Greg Bruno — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:28:47 -0400

New sanctions have revived hopes that non-military action can cripple Iran's nuclear program. But some analysts say these efforts could be undermined by Asian investment in Iran as well as the regime's intransigence.

Headed for the Exits in Iraq

Greg Bruno — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:45:26 -0400

Despite political uncertainty and a recent uptick in violence, the United States is winding down military operations in Iraq, a drawdown that will test Baghdad's nascent democratic institutions.

War Games on the Korean Peninsula

Jayshree Bajoria — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:40:42 -0400

Korean Peninsula tensions are high, in part fueled by U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. Experts say the United States must continue to work toward North Korea's denuclearization and prepare for volatility with a leadership change in Pyongyang.

Giving Kabul the Keys

Greg Bruno — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:35:51 -0400

International endorsement of a plan to hand security responsibilities to Afghan forces in 2014 indicates NATO's military commitment is not open-ended. But meeting the deadline amid ongoing Afghan governance issues could prove challenging.

A First Step on Financial Reform

Roya Wolverson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:06:08 -0400

The U.S. Senate's approval of financial overhaul legislation could lead to sweeping reforms for the financial industry, but it also leaves lobbyists and regulators tasked with fleshing out the details.

New Guard, Old Policy in Afghanistan

Greg Bruno — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:17:46 -0400

In replacing General Stanley McChrystal with General David Petraeus, a well-known counterinsurgency strategist, President Obama is betting that new leadership and old policy will equal victory in Afghanistan.

Oil Spill Fallout Still Gushing

Toni Johnson — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:19:22 -0400

President Obama's vow to make BP pay, and Congress' tough questions to the oil industry, highlight a tense debate over oil policy given the Gulf's ongoing Deepwater spill.

The Eurozone Debt Conundrum

Roya Wolverson — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:42:23 -0400

Eurozone debt concerns have led to soaring lending rates, which in turn helped roil markets concerned about the EU's ability to overcome its crisis.

Euro Rescue Raises Hopes and Questions

Roya Wolverson — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:44:12 -0400

The nearly $1 trillion EU bailout plan appears to have achieved immediate aims of restoring confidence in markets, but concerns persist about deeper reforms needed to tackle the region's sovereign debt crisis.

The Debate on Wall Street Reform

Roya Wolverson — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:08:27 -0400

Congressional wrangling over financial reform and the SEC's fraud case against Goldman Sachs could impact SEC powers and encourage stronger derivatives regulation.

Pakistan's Constitutional Reform

Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:13:10 -0400

Pakistan's constitutional reforms will strengthen democracy but fail to improve the civil-military balance or check the military's influence on defense and foreign policy.

Building a BRIC Foundation

Roya Wolverson — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:04:32 -0400

The so-called BRIC summit of emerging-market powerhouses raises new questions on whether Brazil, Russia, India, and China can overcome internal differences and pursue common goals.

The Greek Austerity Message

Robert McMahon and Roya Wolverson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:31:35 -0500

Tough new measures by the Greek government to curb debt levels are likely to be welcomed by a nervous European Union, but debate persists on whether the EU will, or should, offer Greece financial assistance.

Intel Gaffes: Follow the Dropped Balls

Greg Bruno — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:33:49 -0500

President Obama has called for tweaks to the way terror suspects are monitored, but some observers wonder whether the changes will be sufficient to prevent a repeat of the Christmas Day terror plot.

The New Counterterrorism Challenge

Greg Bruno — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:59:13 -0500

Repercussions of the failed Christmas Day bombing continue, with policy debate focused on Yemen as a new al-Qaeda front and possible delays shuttering Guantanamo Bay.

Guantanamo Bay's Slow Closing Act

Greg Bruno — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:30:26 -0500

President Obama's decision to transfer Guantanamo inmates to an Illinois prison could speed closure of the facility, but the move has raised both security and civil liberties concerns.

Troops, Timetables, and Afghanistan

Greg Bruno — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:45:37 -0500

U.S. President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy is expected to include an influx of more than thirty thousand troops and an exit plan. He faces the challenge of selling this approach to war-weary publics.

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.