CFR.org - Americas

Obama's Summits: Gradual Steps With Russia, Climate Change

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:31:34 -0400

CFR's Charles A. Kupchan says President Obama's summit meetings have advanced relations with Russia and consensus with industrialized states on climate change but that difficult work is ahead on both fronts.

Globalization in Retreat

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:52:55 -0400

The popularity of the U.S. economic model is waning. To put globalization back on track, President Barack Obama must articulate the benefits of open markets and free trade.

The Pentagon’s Wasting Assets

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:38:03 -0400

The military foundations of U.S. dominance are eroding. In response, Washington should pursue new sources of military advantage and a more modest grand strategy.

Flipping the Taliban

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:28:35 -0400

The deployment of more U.S. troops to Afghanistan is necessary to tip the balance of power against the Taliban. But this military "surge" must be accompanied with a political one designed to persuade insurgents to give up their fight.

Tehran's Take

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:03:08 -0400

Iran’s foreign policy is often portrayed in sensationalistic terms, but in reality it is a rational strategy meant to ensure the survival of the Islamic Republic against what Tehran thinks is an existential threat posed by the United States.

The Real War in Mexico

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:52:38 -0400

Hysteria over bloodshed in Mexico clouds the real challenge: the rising violence is a product of democratization -- and the only real solution is to continue strengthening Mexican democracy.

The Russia File

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:46:26 -0400

As it redesigns U.S. policy toward Russia, the Obama administration needs to set far more ambitious goals than it has so far -- it needs to start a comprehensive strategic dialogue.

Get Smart

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:56:20 -0400

Leslie Gelb's skepticism of "smart power" is misguided; it is only by combining the strategies of both hard and soft power that the United States can achieve its ends.

The Careful U.S. Diplomacy on Honduras

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:05 -0400

Latin America expert Kevin Casas-Zamora says that by putting its diplomatic weight behind a mediation effort by Arias to settle the Honduran crisis, the Obama administration has demonstrated sensitivity to Latin sensibilities.

CQ Politics: Boxer Crosses Aisle For Help on Climate Bill

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:03:25 -0400

Senator Barbara Boxer needs to assemble a broad coalition to garner support for President Obama's climate change bill. This article details how she is attempting to do this, and what alliances she has forged in the process.

U.S. Immigration Policy: Report of a CFR-Sponsored Independent Task Force

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:33:22 -0400

The Task Force on U.S. Immigration Policy argues that the failure to reform immigration laws and procedures threatens to harm America's economy, jeopardize its diplomacy, and weaken its national security. It makes the case that maintaining America's political and economic leadership depends on attracting talented and hard-working immigrants, and on securing the country's borders in a smart, effective, and humane way. The report urges Congress and the administration to undertake a new comprehensive reform effort with three central components: the creation of a more efficient legal immigration system that responds to labor market needs and enhances U.S. competitiveness; a strong enforcement regime that secures U.S. borders and ends the hiring of unauthorized workers; and a program of earned legalization that will offer an opportunity for many illegal immigrants to earn the right to remain in the United States.

Media Conference Call: The Real War in Mexico

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:16:32 -0400

CFR's Shannon O'Neil discusses the challenges Mexico faces in combatting drug cartels. Improving the security situation, she argues, depends on strengthening Mexico's democratic institutions.

Obama and Merkel's Press Conference, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:43:04 -0400

Speech

National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy, 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:50:39 -0400

Strategy

Treading Carefully on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — 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

Trade and Climate Change

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:17:49 -0400

The main U.S. bill on confronting climate change should adjust the way it proposes cushioning some vulnerable U.S. industries to avoid stirring protectionist fears, writes CFR's Michael Levi.

Funding the U.S. Counterinsurgency Wars

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:32 -0400

In the next military budget Congress must provide funding for a wholesale shift toward counterinsurgency to win two wars. At the same time, policymakers must be mindful of the need for another transformation to anticipate future wars.

Prepared Testimony by Scott A. Snyder: “North Korea’s Nuclear and Missile Tests and Six-Party Talks: Where Do We Go From Here?”

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:33:01 -0400

Scott A. Snyder testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment; and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. His testimony addresses North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests and Six-Party talks.

U.S. Treasury Department: "Financial Regulatory Reform - A New Foundation"

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:15:46 -0400

Report

Obama's Speech on 21st Century Financial Regulatory Reform

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:05:54 -0400

Speech

Strengthening South Korean Ties

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:21:31 -0400

Washington has reassured Seoul of continued U.S. support for South Korean security, but CFR's Scott Snyder says some aspects of South Korean policy toward North Korea and the United States could become divisive in South Korean domestic politics.

Joint Remarks by President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:24:31 -0400

Speech

Joint Vision for the Alliance of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:23:33 -0400

Statement

A New Chapter for U.S.-South Korea Alliance

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:14:46 -0400

Jack Pritchard, John H. Tilelli Jr., and Scott A. Snyder discuss the three main issues President Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak must address at their meeting in Washington today.

Climate Change And American Foreign Policy: Security Challenges, Diplomatic Opportunities

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:43:49 -0400

Senator John Kerry speaks about global climate change, its implications for global security, and the diplomatic opportunities it presents.

Why Obama Should Keep the Heat on Israel

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:20:33 -0400

Peter Beinart argues, "by taking on the Israeli government over the issue of settlement growth, Obama is showing that he's a gambler overseas" as well as at home.

Obama Should Take a Lesson from Woodrow Wilson

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:43:46 -0400

Charles A. Kupchan writes about three lessons that President Obama can learn from President Wilson.

Obama's Message to Muslims Resonates, But Challenges Await

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:29:01 -0400

CFR Mideast expert Steven A. Cook says President Obama's Cairo speech effectively addressed issues at the core of U.S.-Muslim tensions. But sustaining a constructive dialogue will be a challenge, he says.

Geithner's Speech at Peking University, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:49:24 -0400

Speech

Geithner's Rebalancing Bid

Council on Foreign Relations — 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.