CFR.org - Americas

Obama's Remarks on the Housing Settlement, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:43:58 -0500

President Obama gave these remarks on February 9, 2012 regarding the "landmark settlement with the nation's largest banks that will speed relief to the hardest-hit homeowners, end some of the most abusive practices of the mortgage industry, and begin to turn the page on an era of recklessness that has left so much damage in its wake".

West Must Not Intervene Militarily in Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:15:54 -0500

Ed Husain says military options in Syria would do much more harm than good.

Tie U.S. Recovery Program to Economic Indicators

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:46:52 -0500

Peter Orszag wants the United States to rely more on automatic stabilizers to stem the shocks from recessions.

White House Fact Sheet on Harnessing Innovation for Global Development

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:54:26 -0500

The White House released this fact sheet on 'harnessing innovation for global development' (part of President Obama's Global Development Policy) on February 8, 2012.

A Defense Budget at the Crossroads

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:54:24 -0500

As the Pentagon attempts to refocus the U.S. military strategy toward Asia, the department is facing major budget constraints. Experts disagree on how to balance the fiscal challenge with the country's national security priorities.

Syria: The Alternatives Narrow

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:27:00 -0500

Elliott Abrams says the United States must take the steps to ensure the demise of the Assad regime in Syria.

NYT: 'We the People' Loses Appeal Around the World

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:18:29 -0500

Adam Liptak of the New York Times writes that the U.S. Constitution no longer acts as the model for modern states. He cites the consitution's conservative interpretation and relatively few secured rights in making it a poor model in light of newer constitutions that reflect modern values and contexts.

U.S. State Department Statement on "Subnational Engagement as a 21st Century Foreign Policy Tool"

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:05:21 -0500

Reta Jo Lewis, Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, gave these remarks on "Subnational Engagement as a 21st Century Foreign Policy Tool" at the 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction, & Stabilization Conference in Alexandria, VA on February 7, 2012.

Santorum's Speech After the Minnesota Caucus, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:53:48 -0500

Rick Santorum gave this speech on February 7, 2012, following his wins at the Minnesota caucus and Missouri primary.

Shame on You, Mr. Obama, for Pandering on Trade

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:07:53 -0500

Jagdish Bhagwati criticizes U.S. President Barack Obama for failing to close the Doha Round, decrying outsourcing, and surrending to the "manufactures fetish."

Israel and Netanyahu, Pipe Down the Threats of War on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:44:21 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb says Israeli threats undercut prospects for a settlement with Iran.

CRS: A Historical Perspective on "Hollow Forces"

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:24:31 -0500

This Congressional Research Service report describes the potential pitfalls of improperly managed defense budget cuts by recalling the notion of the "hollow force" in U.S. military history--a superficially battle-ready military force that, upon closer inspection, reveals itself to be inadequately prepared.

CRS: Detention of U.S. Persons as Enemy Belligerents

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:07:37 -0500

This Congressional Research Service report focuses on the legal issues of wartime detention, with special emphasis on how it applies to U.S. citizens and residents after September 11, 2001.

Fact Sheet: Central America Regional Security Initiative

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:32:02 -0500

The U.S. Department of State released this fact sheet on the Central America Regional Security Initiative on February 6, 2012.

NPP: A People’s Guide to The Federal Budget

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:16:35 -0500

The National Priorities Project presents an accessible guide to both the history and economics of America's federal budget and explains the impacts the budget has on the general public.

Panetta and Clinton's Remarks at the Munich Security Conference, Germany

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:37:23 -0500

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave these remarks at the 48th Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany on February 4, 2012.

Mitt Can Win by Battling America’s Debt Addiction

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:22:46 -0500

Sebastian Mallaby proposes that Mitt Romney declare war on America's addiction to debt.

TIME: Class War 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:18:26 -0500

TIME's Michael Scherer comments on the class-based sense of injustice that is now roiling all sides of the ideological spectrum.

Campaign 2012: The Candidates on U.S.-Russia Relations

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:59:26 -0500

This CFR Issue Tracker looks at the United States' relationship with Russia and presidential candidates' stances on the issue.

U.S. Trade Policy

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:49:33 -0500

Trade accounts for an increasing portion of the U.S. economy, and the Obama administration has embraced a ramped up export strategy. But debate persists over the merits of a vigorous free trade agenda.

U.S.-Pakistan Relations: The Year Past, The Year Ahead (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:54 -0500

Steve Coll, Robert Grenier, and Daniel Markey look at changes in U.S.-Pakistan relations over the past year and make recommendations for moving forward.

U.S.-Pakistan Relations: The Year Past, The Year Ahead (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:23 -0500

Steve Coll, Robert Grenier, and Daniel Markey look at changes in U.S.-Pakistan relations over the past year and make recommendations for moving forward.

Obama's "Blueprint for an America Built to Last", January 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:17:53 -0500

The White House describes this January 2012 document: "In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a Blueprint for an America Built to Last, calling for action to help responsible borrowers and support a housing market recovery. While the government cannot fix the housing market on its own, the President believes that responsible homeowners should not have to sit and wait for the market to hit bottom to get relief when there are measures at hand that can make a meaningful difference, including allowing these homeowners to save thousands of dollars by refinancing at today's low interest rates. That's why the President is putting forward a plan that uses the broad range of tools to help homeowners, supporting middle-class families and the economy."

Ron Paul's Economic Plan to Restore Nevada, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:44 -0500

Ron Paul released this "Economic Plan to Restore Nevada" on February 2, 2012. The press release states,

"The plan helps Nevada residents, workers, retirees, debtors, home buyers, homeowners including those facing foreclosure, job-creators like the tourism industry, federal land ownership victims, and other stakeholders renew the Silver State's economy and sovereignty after decades of disastrous Washington interference.

The five key elements of the 'Plan to Restore Nevada' include:

1. Restoring Nevada's Job Market
2. Restoring the Housing Market
3. Restoring Tipped-Worker Wages
4. Restoring a Common Sense Visa System
5. Giving Nevada Back To Nevadans."

Obama's Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:28:34 -0500

President Obama gave these remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, 2012.

Campaign 2012: Latin America

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:45:32 -0500

Drug trafficking, changing immigration trends, and rising economic opportunities are the major issues the winner of the 2012 U.S. presidential election faces in dealing with Latin America, says CFR's Shannon O'Neil.

Don't Abandon Europe

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:15:02 -0500

Colonel Chad T. Manske, USAF, says Western economies and capabilities are more inextricably linked than ever and warns against a policy shift away from U.S. security and interests in Europe.

A Third Option for Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:55:59 -0500

The extraordinary risks posed by a nuclear-armed Iran require Washington and its partners to step up activity on economic sanctions and diplomacy, even while preparing military options, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.

Foreign Policy: The Bin Laden Bounce

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:27:03 -0500

Obama's potential voters might not judge him only by his success on catching the al-Qaeda mastermind, but also by the way he has been handling the American economy, writes Scott Clement.

Blame Canada

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:56:24 -0500

Max Boot reviews Eliot Cohen's Conquered into Liberty: Two Centuries of Battles Along the Great Warpath that Made the American Way of War.