The biggest threat to America's security and prosperity comes not from abroad but from within, writes CFR President Haass in this provocative book.

Richard N. Haass contrasts the decisions that shaped the conduct of two wars between the United States and Iraq involving the two presidents Bush and Saddam Hussein, and writes an authoritative, personal account of how U.S. foreign policy is made, what it should seek, and how it should be pursued.

A description of an unprecedented moment in which the United States has a chance to bring about a world where most people are safe, free, and can enjoy a decent standard of living.

Richard N. Haass writes on the American policy of isolating Cuba: "Things are changing in Cuba, however slowly. The United States should be a part of shaping their direction."

Richard N. Haass urges the United States to take part in peace talks between Syria and Israel. He writes: "Damascus is signaling that it's ready to negotiate a separate peace with Israel. It won't happen without America's help. The silent treatment has to stop."

Richard N. Haass writes, "Israel needs a successful Palestinian state almost as much as the Palestinians do if it is to remain democratic, Jewish, prosperous and secure."

Richard N. Haass discusses Iran's nuclear program and the Obama administration's options for diplomacy.

Richard Haass and Martin Indyk argue that Obama "can capitalise on new opportunities rather than be overwhelmed by old realities in this critical and troubled region."

Richard Haass writes that "Americans must accept China's rise. There's no guarantee we could prevent it anyway, and the attempt would only worsen the rivalry."

To be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement.

Experts from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution propose a new, nonpartisan Middle East strategy drawing on the lessons of past failures to address both the short- and long-term challenges to U.S. interests.

CFR President Richard N. Haass, who worked on previous presidential transitions, says that given the current world situation, he believes the first priority for President-elect Barack Obama lies in "the financial and economic side," and that "the near-term foreign policy challenges are probably Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, [and] a little bit of Iraq."

Dealing with Iran and its nuclear program will be an urgent priority for the next president

Richard N. Haass writes that "understanding how a candidate thinks about the world gives a better sense of how he is likely to react to both opportunity and crisis."

Russia may no longer be a superpower, but despite its declining population, it remains a major power, one in a position to influence the opening decades of the 21st century, writes Richard Haass. Because of this, U.S. policy ought to be for the two countries to cooperate where they can—and to disagree and compete within constraints where they must.

Richard Haass argues that the proponents of a boycott against the 2008 Olympic Games should keep in mind how much Chinese society has opened up from what it was just a few decades ago.

Richard N. Haass testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Richard N. Haass explains the dynamics of a nonpolar world and predicts that “multilateralism a la carte is likely to be the new order of the day.”

This audio includes readings of selected articles from the May/June 2008 issue of Foreign Affairs.

In February, Martin Indyk and Richard Haass engaged leading Gulf policymakers in detailed conversations about what they are looking for from a new American president. While all those with whom they spoke were fascinated by the American presidential primary elections and seem to be following the results closely, few have yet focused on the possibility that a significant change in U.S. foreign policy might result from a new administration in Washington. There was also a significant disconnect between leaders and publics: The leaders are focused on how the next administration will deal with complex regional security challenge posed by Iran, whereas the publics are hoping that a new president will resolve the Palestinian issue and press authoritarian governments to be more open, transparent and accountable.

The United States' unipolar moment is over. International relations in the twenty-first century will be defined by nonpolarity.

“The unipolar era, a time of unprecedented American dominion, is over,” argues Richard Haass.