CFR.org - Expert Briefs

France's High Stakes Presidential Vote

Charles A. Kupchan — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:02:42 -0400

France's next president faces tough choices on EU integration, immigration, NATO's mission in Afghanistan, and economic reforms, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.

Dr. Kim and the World Bank's Health Role

Laurie Garrett — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:28:53 -0400

An examination of the World Bank's evolution as a global health actor and Jim Yong Kim's career in public health raises questions about how he would handle the role of president, writes CFR's Laurie Garrett.

Why the Summit of the Americas Matters

Shannon K. O'Neil — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:13:18 -0400

The summit in Colombia offers Washington an opportunity to boost growing economic ties amid ongoing disputes with regional partners over Cuba and the legalization of illicit drugs, writes CFR's Shannon K. O'Neil.

Reforming Egypt's Untenable Subsidies

Isobel Coleman — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:35:34 -0400

Addressing Egypt's economically debilitating subsidy system will be hard amid political transition, but with the country's social contract under review, the time is ripe for reform needed to put the country on a more viable economic path, says CFR's Isobel Coleman.

Myanmar's Elections: Is Reform Real?

Joshua Kurlantzick — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:47:46 -0400

The elections brought democratic forces into parliament for the first time in fifty years. But Myanmar's rapid reforms still must be viewed as small steps in a country where military forces retain considerable power, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Election Monitoring: Power, Limits, and Risks

Judith Kelley — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:36:48 -0400

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, Judith Kelley examines the achievements, shortcomings, and drawbacks of international election monitoring, arguing that it merits both enthusiasm and healthy skepticism.

Beyond Quake, Japan's Political Aftershocks

Sheila A. Smith — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:18:29 -0500

One year after Japan's triple disasters, questions persist about the ability of the world's third-largest economy to rebound and how its struggling political system can mount serious reforms, writes CFR's Sheila Smith.

No Great Firewall Will Save Europe

Steven Dunaway — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:32:05 -0500

Talk among major economies is intensifying over a "financial firewall" to contain the eurozone crisis. But CFR's Steven Dunaway says the emphasis should be on pressing debt-saddled states to make reforms that will improve their growth prospects.

How Myanmar Changed and What It Means

Joshua Kurlantzick — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:40:17 -0500

Myanmar's sudden transition from repressive pariah to potential democracy should be viewed through the lens of a military alarmed by people power revolts and by the country's increasingly shaky economic condition, says CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

A Problematic Terrorist Detention Bill

Matthew C. Waxman, and John B. Bellinger III — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:54:32 -0500

Detainee policy that would mandate military custody for al-Qaeda suspects captured in the United States could have a detrimental impact on U.S. counterterrorism operations, say CFR legal experts Matthew C. Waxman and John B. Bellinger III.

How Afghanization Can Work

Linda Robinson — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:54:35 -0500

What is the best way to stabilize Afghanistan at a time when international forces are scaling down commitments? Putting Afghan troops in the lead of their own counterinsurgency efforts, writes CFR's Linda Robinson.

Durban's UN Climate Stakes

Michael A. Levi — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:54:10 -0500

Delegates at climate talks underway in South Africa would be better off addressing matters such as a global climate fund rather than trying to preserve the contentious Kyoto Protocol, says CFR's Michael Levi.

Six Criteria for G20 Success in Cannes

Stewart M. Patrick — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:15:21 -0400

G20 leaders will be tested this week to act on sovereign debt crises and potential global economic upheaval. Stewart Patrick says a proper response would be for leaders to follow their own promises from previous summits.

African Democracy: Elections Despite Divisions

John Campbell, and Asch Harwood — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:04:54 -0400

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR’s John Campbell and Asch Harwood note the potential dangers of elections in weak and divided African countries, but they urge continued U.S. support for elections because Africans themselves embrace them.

Tunisia at the Crossroads

Victoria Taylor — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:42:34 -0400

Tunisians triggered the first of the Arab world upheavals, but can they sustain support for democratic changes? CFR's Victoria Taylor says the elections for a constitutional assembly will test Tunisia's political maturity.

Promoting Human Rights: Is U.S. Consistency Desirable or Possible?

Mark P. Lagon — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:20:30 -0400

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR's Mark Lagon argues for a more consistent approach to human rights promotion than the United States has often pursued in the past.

Growing U.S. Role in South China Sea

Joshua Kurlantzick — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:08:53 -0400

With China and Southeast Asian states disputing claims to the energy-rich South China Sea, the United States is likely to bolster its presence in the area, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Looming Threat to Afghan Women's Rights

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:23:08 -0400

With the United States eager to withdraw from Afghanistan and reconciliation with the Taliban considered key to any peace process, Afghan women's rights are once again in question, writes CFR's Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

The Path Forward on NCDs

Thomas Bollyky — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:45:48 -0400

The 2011 high-level UN meeting on non-communicable diseases fell far short of the major funding and targets agreed to at a similar meeting on HIV/AIDS a decade ago, which CFR's Thomas Bollyky says indicates a need for different actors and approaches on chronic diseases.

Obama's Dual Dilemmas at United Nations

Stewart M. Patrick — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:11:34 -0400

This year's daunting UN challenges for President Obama: navigating the Palestinian statehood thicket and convincing Americans that UN diplomacy matters, writes CFR's Stewart Patrick.

How New Atrocity-Prevention Steps Can Work

Andrew C. Miller, and Paul B. Stares — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:23:35 -0400

New efforts by the Obama administration to prioritize the prevention of atrocities can only make a difference if authorities are able to surmount challenges ranging from bureaucratic inertia to fickle public opinion, write Andrew Miller and Paul Stares.

U.S. Treasuries Lose 'Risk-Free' Luster

Francis E. Warnock — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:35:28 -0400

U.S. lawmakers' brinkmanship over raising the debt ceiling could have prompted a series of moves--the downgrading of U.S. debt by Standard and Poor's being one--that could cause a selloff of U.S. securities and an end to the primacy of the dollar, writes CFR's Francis Warnock.

Making Sense of the Afghan Peace Dividend

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:26:42 -0400

Scaling back the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan will yield a peace dividend, but only when Social Security and Medicare spending are controlled will the U.S. be able to refocus on domestic priorities, says CFR'S Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

South Sudan's Challenge to Africa's Colonial Borders

John Campbell — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:37:06 -0400

South Sudan's independence July 9 could encourage secession efforts elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, but elites in those countries will likely stymie those attempts at challenging colonial borders, at least for now.

Three Challenges for New IMF Director

Steven Dunaway — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:21:22 -0400

New IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde has to move quickly to establish independence from the European authorities who got her the job, enhance the IMF's legitimacy, and display her ability to manage the fund, says CFR's Steven Dunaway.

Constitutional Stakes in Turkey's Election

Steven A. Cook — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:58:35 -0400

There is little doubt Prime Minister Erdogan's AKP party will retain power in Turkey's June 12 elections. The focus will be on whether he uses his mandate to consolidate Turkish democracy under a new liberal constitution, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

Thailand's Elections: Resolution or Implosion?

Joshua Kurlantzick — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:16:06 -0400

Thailand's general elections in July could mark a crucial step toward reconciliation but are likely to fuel further resentments that have roiled the country and eroded regional stability, says CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Why Sudan's Peace Is in Jeopardy

John Campbell — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:24:34 -0400

Hostilities in Sudan might be relieved by a deal hammered out by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, but ethnic and religious divides, resource battles, and looming southern independence remain contentious issues, says CFR's John Campbell.

The G8 Proves Its Relevance

Stewart M. Patrick — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:11:20 -0400

The G8 summit affirmed the group's importance as a U.S. partner as it seeks a common front on the "Arab Spring" uprisings, and in forging collective action on human rights and security matters, says CFR's Stewart Patrick.

Using Frozen Assets to Aid Libyans

Stuart Levey — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:16:55 -0400

The Obama administration's plan to seize frozen Libyan assets and use them for Libyan aid is a dramatic, and probably unilateral, exercise of U.S. power that is likely to yield a relatively modest sum of money, says CFR's Stuart Levey.