Les Gelb gives advice to Iranian president Rouhani.

Writing on Syria, Leslie H. Gelb advises that "the only viable strategy at this point is to help prevent things from getting worse."

There is almost never a time when people do not worry about war between major powers. The history here is not a happy one. But there are good reasons to expect a better outcome in the 21st century—as long as both sides are alert and careful.

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Leslie H. Gelb reviews Unthinkable, a new book by Kenneth M. Pollack.

With the latest chemical-weapons attack in Syria, U.S. officials are talking about Obama's using military force, but with a diplomatic and humanitarian twist, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Les Gelb writes, "the Obama team, on a private basis, has to help the military and the moderates frame a viable plan and process for establishing democracy in Egypt, and start implementing it as soon as possible."

The Obama team wants a quick return to democracy in Egypt, but if that means hasty elections again, the result won't be a real democracy, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

"Relations with Russia and China deserve to be given priority," according to Leslie H. Gelb and Dmitri K. Simes.

Leslie H. Gelb and Dimitri Simes discuss the impact of China and Russia's evolving relationship on the United States.

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

Whichever part of the international field you enter, learn how to get things done.

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"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.

In light of Afghan president Karzai's recent comments, Leslie H. Gelb advocates an expedited withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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

The myth about how the United States won the Cuban missile crisis made it more difficult for presidents to do what common sense dictated, says CFR president emeritus Les Gelb.

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.