Stewart Patrick contends that assumptions about the threats posed by failing states--or "weak links"--are based on anecdotal arguments and challenges the conventional wisdom through systematic empirical analysis.

Kara C. McDonald and Stewart M. Patrick offer recommendations for U.S. leadership in United Nations Security Council reform and expansion.

Marking the 500th anniversary of the The Prince (1513), Stewart Patrick explains why Machiavelli's primer on statecraft still has the capacity to shock half a millennium after it was written.

In light of chemical weapons attacks in Syria, Stewart Patrick explains why holding the line on their further use is essential to preserving the prohibition regime.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Trade officials debate the Trans-Pacific Partnership; Afghan president Hamid Karzai visits Pakistan; the UN Security Council reviews several missions; and the U.S. Open tennis tournament begins.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Egypt faces turmoil during transition; the UN Security Council meets to discuss African conflicts and the protection of journalists worldwide; and North and South Korea resume Kaesong talks.

Stewart Patrick reviews new books America and the Rogue States, by Thomas H. Henriksen and Outlier States: American Strategies to Change, Contain, or Engage Regimes, by Robert S. Litwak.

Despite its strategic "rebalancing" toward Asia, the United States is unlikely to sponsor a collective defense organization for the Asia-Pacific, for at least three reasons: insufficient solidarity among diverse regional partners, fear of alienating China, and the perceived advantages of bilateral and ad-hoc security arrangements.

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Stewart Patrick analyses a UN-FAO report which considers how the human consumption of insects could help in the fight against world hunger.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: South Korean President Park visits the United States; Pakistan holds its general election; and French president Francois Hollande and Russian president Vladimir Putin mark one-year anniversaries in office.

In conjunction with the release of CFR's first Global Governance Report Card and Earth Day, Stewart Patrick asks, "When it comes to addressing the world's gravest ills, how are we doing?"

The UNSC is unlikely to be altered any time soon. Any resolution to expand the UNSC would need to garner the support of two-thirds of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), or 129 votes, as well as endorsement by the five permanent members to succeed.

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Stewart Patrick writes about the theoretical and practical implications of significant changes to the international political system over the past two decades in Geir Lundestad's International Relations Since the End of the Cold War: New and Old Dimensions.

Despite its booming economy, Mexico continues to struggle with alarmingly high levels of violence linked to drugs and organized crime. This video primer examines the crisis and explores policy options for Mexico and the United States.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: India takes over the UN Security Council's presidency; the UN Security Council debates women, peace and security; and parliamentary elections take place in Ukraine.

The UN General Assembly will likely address two "lightning rod" issues: ending the bloodshed in Syria and curbing Iran's nuclear development, says CFR's Stewart Patrick.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the U.S. vows to hunt down the perpetrators of the Benghazi attack; the UN General Assembly opens; pressure mounts on Iran; and the UN Human Rights Council meets in Geneva.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Democrats convene in Charlotte, North Carolina; a new Syria mediator gets to work; and the UN World Urban Forum takes place in Naples.

When it comes to natural disasters, Stewart Patrick argues that today's burgeoning urban centers will increasingly be on the front lines.

Stewart M. Patrick and Emma Welch assess the debate over an international conventional arms trade treaty and find that U.S. domestic objections are unfounded.

Considering a report from CFR and the Program on International Policy Attitudes, Stewart Patrick discusses why the majority of Americans will not accept a nuclear Iran.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: World powers convene in Geneva for a crisis meeting on Syria; Mexico holds presidential elections; and the U.S. House and Senate go into recess.