Politics requires scapegoats, whether they bear guilt or not. And the media seem less interested in discovering who is responsible than in providing a megaphone for the accusations. But the questions need to be asked. We cannot begin to fix the policy-making process until we see who broke it -- and even then, the damage may be beyond repair.

Leslie H. Gelb reflects on Tom Donilon's tenure as National Security Adviser, in light of Susan Rice's recent appointment as his replacement.

"Going forward, the United States has no choice but to embrace the sound underpinnings of leading from behind," writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Obama is right not to rush to war, given our checkered past on the use of chemical weapons and the sinkhole of hatreds in Syria, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Leslie H. Gelb contrasts the warm relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel this week with political and diplomatic realities.

Leslie H. Gelb reflects on the tenth anniversary of U.S. involvement in Iraq in the context of the continuing conflict in Syria.

Leslie H. Gelb says all parties involved share some responsibility for the crisis in Gaza. But Hamas is by far the biggest villain.

Fifty years later, the effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis linger still because of the persistent effects of one lie—that JFK won the day without compromising, writes Leslie H. Gelb in Foreign Policy.

Ignore the commentariat: Susan Rice isn't to blame for the complicated intelligence process following the Benghazi attack, writes Leslie H. Gelb in Newsweek.

Obama acquitted himself well under terrible circumstances, but he must get to the bottom of the last week's five unresolved puzzles, from Libyan warnings to complicit guards, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Watch out, Wall Street: former Fed chair Paul Volcker takes aim at greedy bankers, a weak financial system, and a flawed Ryan plan in an exclusive interview for Newsweek with Leslie H. Gelb.

In Newsweek, Leslie H. Gelb weaves surprising lessons on when to make war and peace from interviews with Ryan Crocker, former Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Leslie H. Gelb says Kofi Annan's mission in Damascus was doomed from the start. Obama should not try to fill the void—but rather leave that mostly to Syria's neighbors.

Leslie H. Gelb explains why federalism is the best approach for creating a peaceful and independent Iraq.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that liberals and moderates are asking the right questions about where the United States should go on national security policy, and the foreign policy establishment needs to listen to them.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses Leon Panetta and says the new defense secretary has yet to settle into the role of middleman between military demands and the wishes of the White House.

Leslie H. Gelb says that President Obama's speech on the Middle East was sensible, courageous, and fair, but it has been challenged for reasons good and bad in a region unable to transcend its ancient grudges.