Most nations have adjusted their foreign policies to focus on economic security, but the United States has not.

The United States is declining as a nation and a world power.

Leslie H. Gelb writes that the aim now in Syria can't be just to help the rebels and get rid of Assad; it must be to prevent al Qaeda's extremist cohorts from grabbing power.

Leslie H. Gelb says Obama captured the political center at home on foreign policy – a feat for a Democrat – because he avoided costly mistakes abroad. He understood the limits of U.S. power, but not its strengths when encased in a good strategy, and thus failed to achieve solutions to big problems abroad.

Leslie H. Gelb reviews The Obamians: The Struggle Inside the White House to Redefine American Power by James Mann.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the elections in Egypt and why the United States can't predict, let alone control, events in the Mideast.

Leslie H. Gelb says it's good riddance that President Obama's talk of shifting from Europe to Asia faded as the G8 and NATO meetings loomed.

Leslie H. Gelb says Mitt Romney's foreign policy strategy is an attempt to blend all Republican viewpoints.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses who might replace Hillary Clinton as the next U.S. secretary of state.

Leslie H. Gelb says military confrontations loom for President Obama in Iran, Syria, and North Korea, and he can't head them off with the usual duet of threats and talks.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that the world is distracted, and North Korea, South Korea, and the United States are stumbling, once again, toward a nuclear confrontation.

Leslie H. Gelb says President Obama will wait until after the election to speed up U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan.

Leslie H. Gelb says foreign policy experts should be made to answer questions about the consequences and risks of their recommendations to engage the United States in wars with Syria and Iran.

Leslie H. Gelb says maneuvering by Washington and Tehran to head off an Israeli attack against Iran is a process of intriguing diplomatic gamesmanship.

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

Leslie H. Gelb says the Obama administration's announcement of a quick end to U.S. combat in Afghanistan is a surprise decision of strategic skill and political courage.

Leslie H. Gelb says that in order to deal with Iran, President Obama needs to show the courage of offering a solid peace proposal instead of just drawing chest-thumping red lines.