CFR.org - Council Special Reports

The United States in the New Asia

Evan A. Feigenbaum and Robert A. Manning — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:25:07 -0400

For more than a decade, the United States has mostly watched from the sidelines as Asian countries organize themselves into an alphabet soup of new multilateral groups. In this report, the authors review the relationship between pan-Asian and trans-Pacific institutions and suggest policy guidelines for a new U.S. approach to this new Asian landscape. A purposeful multilateralism that pools the efforts of those with the greatest capacity, the authors argue, could make Asia a more prosperous and secure region.

The Canadian Oil Sands

Michael A. Levi — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:21:11 -0400

The Canadian oil sands present an important challenge to policymakers: they promise energy security benefits but present climate change problems. Michael A. Levi assesses the energy security and climate change effects of the oil sands and makes recommendations for U.S. policymakers within the context of broader bilateral relations with Canada.

The National Interest and the Law of the Sea

Scott G. Borgerson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:08:45 -0400

Seaborne commerce remains the linchpin of the global economy. And beyond trade, a host of other issues, ranging from climate change and energy to defense and piracy, ensure that the oceans will hold considerable strategic interest well into the future. In this report, Scott G. Borgerson explores an important element of the maritime policy regime: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He examines the international negotiations that led to the convention, the history of debates in the United States over whether to join it, and the strategic importance of the oceans for U.S. foreign policy today.

Lessons of the Financial Crisis

Benn Steil — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:48:17 -0400

In this report, Benn Steil shows that the financial crisis is the inevitable bust of a classic credit boom, and explains how monetary, taxation, and home ownership promotion policy combined with other features of the financial system to fuel an unsustainable buildup in debt. He recommends significant reforms to reverse the debt financing bias and make the system more resilient to falls in asset prices.

Eurasian Energy Security

Jeffrey Mankoff — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:56:44 -0500

This report looks at Russia’s rise as an energy power, analyzing its control of supplies and delivery systems and its investments in energy infrastructure across Europe, as well as questions about the potential of its production, recognizing that European dependence on Russian energy will be a reality well into the future and that Europe can increase its energy security only by working with—not against—Russia.

Preparing for Sudden Change in North Korea

Paul B. Stares and Joel S. Wit — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:03:33 -0500

North Korea has long been a serious concern to Washington. Now, with President Kim Jong-Il reportedly in bad health and possibly naming a successor, the United States must consider possible outcomes should the situation deteriorate and the current North Korean government collapse. This report examines the challenges that these scenarios would pose—ranging from securing Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal to providing humanitarian assistance—in the context of the interests of the United States and others in its valuable recommendations.

Averting Crisis in Ukraine

Steven Pifer — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:34:21 -0500

This report comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West.

Congo

Anthony W. Gambino — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:40:59 -0400

This report lays out a thoughtful agenda for U.S. policy toward the Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that what happens there should matter to the United States—for humanitarian reasons as well as economic and strategic ones.

China, Space Weapons, and U.S. Security

Bruce W. MacDonald — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:53:55 -0400

In this report, Bruce W. MacDonald illuminates the strategic landscape of military space competition between the United States and China and highlights the dangers and opportunities the United States confronts in space.

Sovereign Wealth and Sovereign Power

Brad W. Setser — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:18:08 -0400

The rise in China’s trade surplus, the increase in oil prices, and a slowdown in demand for U.S. assets from private investors abroad has increased the United States’ reliance on foreign governments for financing. This report examines whether America’s ability to secure large quantities of external financing from foreign governments is a reflection of its political power, a constraint on its ability to exercise power, or a combination of the two.

Securing Pakistan's Tribal Belt

Daniel Markey — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:17:24 -0400

This report outlines the nature of the challenges in Pakistan's tribal areas, formulates strategies for addressing those challenges, and distills the strategies into realistic policy proposals worthy of consideration by the incoming administration.

Avoiding Transfers to Torture

Ashley S. Deeks — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:03:34 -0400

This report analyzes the debate over U.S. use of assurances against torture, explaining the contexts in which they are used, how they can be conveyed, and what they can contain, and recommends a number of ways to respond to criticism so that the United States can continue using assurances.

Dealing with Damascus

Mona Yacoubian and Scott Lasensky — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:08:30 -0400

In this Council Special Report, Mona Yacoubian and Scott Lasensky make a strong case that the Bush administration’s policy of diplomatic isolation of Syria is not serving U.S. interests, and offer informed history and thoughtful analysis of the country and its external behavior. This report is also available in Italian.

Climate Change and National Security

Joshua W. Busby — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:37:26 -0500

Connections between climate change and national security are receiving unprecedented attention from policymakers and analysts. Joshua W. Busby moves the discussion from broad assessments of the links between climate and security to a plan for action. This report is also available in Chinese.

Planning for Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe

Michelle D. Gavin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:55:44 -0400

Since 2000, President Robert Mugabe’s refusal to tolerate challenges to his power has led him to systematically dismantle the workings of Zimbabwe’s economic and political systems, replacing them with structures of corruption, intimidation, and repression. Michelle D. Gavin surveys the current situation in Zimbabwe, identifying current structural and legal impediments to economic and political recovery.

The Case for Wage Insurance

Robert J. LaLonde — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:17:40 -0400

A flexible labor market and an open economy are crucial to economic competitiveness, but can sometimes cause prime-aged and older workers to suffer large, long-term income losses. This report explains why existing government programs, which emphasize retraining and insurance for short-term job loss, don't assuage workers' fears about globalization. It also proposes a shift of resources from existing programs to wage insurance.

Reform of the International Monetary Fund

Peter B. Kenen — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:40:49 -0400

With IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato resigning in October, a new report analyzes the reform measures that will be bequeathed to Mr. de Rato's successor, and argues that the reform measures deserve the support of the United States, including the U.S. Congress when it is asked to implement some of the key measures.

Nuclear Energy

Charles D. Ferguson — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:32:15 -0400

This report examines the contributions that an expanded use of nuclear energy can make to improving energy security and reducing global warming while balancing these benefits against the risks and lingering questions over nuclear energy’s safety and security.

Nigeria

Robert I. Rotberg — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:17:09 -0400

This report describes what steps might be taken by Nigerians and the international community to avoid a breakdown of democracy, and possibly stability, in the wake of Nigeria’s April 2007 electoral contest and to tackle Nigeria’s fundamental challenges of governance, security, and development in the longer term.

The Economic Logic of Illegal Immigration

Gordon H. Hanson — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:52:37 -0400

This report examines the economics of illegal immigration and finds that the fiscal benefits of illegal immigration offset its costs. Further, the report finds that the flexibility provided by the illegal immigration system that benefits the U.S. economy cannot be provided by the legal immigration system.

The United States and the WTO Dispute Settlement System

Robert Z. Lawrence — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:55:45 -0400

This report defends the WTO dispute settlement mechanism against critics who think it should be tougher on violators as well as critics who think it is already so tough as to violate sovereignty.

Bolivia on the Brink

Eduardo A. Gamarra — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:06:20 -0500

This report encourages the U.S. government to redirect its policy toward Bolivia from “wait and see” to one with an emphasis on conflict prevention and preserving the democratic process in order to address the nation’s many challenges. This report is also available in Spanish.

After the Surge

Steven Simon — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

This Council Special Report concludes that only if the United States disengages militarily will it minimize the strategic costs of its failure in Iraq.

Darfur and Beyond

Lee Feinstein — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:26:41 -0500

This report argues that the new UN secretary-general should take the General Assembly's endorsement of responsibility to protect as a mandate and as a mission statement. And the United States and others must take steps to bolster UN action and be available when the UN is not.

Avoiding Conflict in the Horn of Africa

Terrence Lyons — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500

This report presents a full picture of what is going on in the Horn of Africa and suggests what the United States needs to do to address the multiple challenges to stability.

Living with Hugo

Richard Lapper — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

With polls showing Chávez strongly in the lead in the December 3, 2006, Venezuelan presidential election, the United States needs to prepare for another six-year term with the controversial leader. This report proposes a new strategic framework for U.S. policy toward Venezuela. This report is also available in Spanish.

Reforming U.S. Patent Policy

Keith E. Maskus — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

This report argues that reforms of the U.S. patent system have suceeded in limiting the competition of ideas, discouraging innovation, and ultimately reducing U.S. competitiveness.

Foreign Investment and National Security

Alan P. Larson and David M. Marchick — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

This report makes recommendations for reforming the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and examines how the administration and Congress can reassure foreign investors of U.S. openness and address growing anxieties in other countries.

Challenges for a Postelection Mexico

Pamela K. Starr — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The contentious July 2006 Mexican presidential election has placed Mexico squarely back on the U.S. foreign policy agenda. This report offers concrete policy recommendations to the U.S. government on how to help Mexico deal with its future challenges. This report is also available in Spanish.

U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation

Michael A. Levi and Charles D. Ferguson — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400

This Council Special Report addresses the controversial nuclear deal between the United States and India, offering practical recommendations for promoting U.S.-India relations while strengthening nonproliferation.