Council on Foreign Relations

Walter Russell Mead forecasts the ten biggest foreign policy and international stories of the year.

Walter Russell Mead argues that Barack Obama might yet revolutionize America's foreign policy. But if he can't reconcile his inner Thomas Jefferson with his inner Woodrow Wilson, the 44th president could end up like No. 39.

"Thing are going to get worse before they get better," writes Walter Russell Mead, laying out a summary of the many things that have gone wrong during President Obama's first year in office.

"People’s expectations for health care are deeply irrational," making this issue such a difficult one to resolve, writes Walter Russel Mead.

"France can help us more than we think," writes Walter Russel Mead looking through the history of the rocky U.S.-French relationship to provide context for the current state of the alliance.

Walter Russell Mead says that it should come as no surprise that the U.S.'s work in Afghanistan has led to deals with "dark forces" and "unsavory" characters and the fact that many Americans are surprised by this revelation is a telling insight into the "American soul."

"There’s no doubt that Pakistan is the toughest and most dangerous problem in American foreign policy," writes Walter Russell Mead, adding that the crucial topic of India is often underestimated when the U.S.'s relationship with Pakistan is considered.

CFR's Walter Russell Mead says the Nobel Peace Prize is a welcome sign of international recognition for U.S. President Barack Obama, but he says the president faces great global challenges ahead.

Walter Russell Mead examines the book of Job in the Old Testament and its meaning in today's political and cultural stage.

George Herring's well-written and lively book may turn out to be one of the last attempts by a leading scholar to compress a comprehensive and comprehensible account of the United States' foreign relations into a single volume.

Walter Russell Mead argues that an increasing number of developing countries are turning into the "pacesetters of liberal global capitalism."

Listen to Foreign Affairs authors analyze policy options to bring peace to the Middle East and the role that the Obama administration can play in the region.

Watch Foreign Affairs authors analyze policy options to bring peace to the Middle East and the role that the Obama administration can play in the region.

Walter Russell Mead examines the implications of the financial crisis for both the world's greater and lesser powers. He writes, "financial crises on balance reinforce rather than undermine the world position of the leading capitalist countries."

If it hopes to bring peace to the Middle East, the Obama administration must put Palestinian politics and goals first.

Walter Russell Mead calls for the Obama administration to engage with both the Israelis and Palestinians more deeply than past U.S. administrations.

This audio includes readings of selected articles from the January/February 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs.

From the January/February 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs: to make Israel safe, give Palestinians their due.