James M. Lindsay argues that while the United States remains the most significant military, diplomatic, and economic power in a changing geopolitical environment, it faces increasing difficulty in driving the global agenda.

Despite international pressure, Iran appears to be continuing its march toward getting a nuclear bomb.

America Unbound argues that President Bush has redefined how America engages the world, shedding the constraints that friends, allies, and international institutions have traditionally imposed on its freedom, insisting that an America unbound is a more secure America.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The threat of a U.S. government shutdown looms over Congress; Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House; and the twentieth anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu is marked.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Syria faces a deadline for listing its chemical weapons stockpiles; the UN General Assembly convenes in New York; and Germans go to the polls.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Diplomacy intensifies over chemical weapons in Syria; the 20th anniversary of the Oslo Accords is observed; and economies take stock five years after the Lehman Brothers collapse.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The United States remembers the attacks of September 11, 2001; the U.S. Congress is expected to vote on Syria; and Australia holds general elections.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Anticipation mounts over outside military action in Syria; the G20 summit begins in St. Petersburg; and President Obama visits Sweden.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Egypt remains in a state of emergency; Japan and Russia hold talks over territorial disputes; and Al Jazeera America makes its debut.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. diplomatic missions are set to reopen throughout the Middle East and Africa; U.S. and African officials discuss extending trade ties; and Mali holds a runoff presidential election.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Iranian president-elect Hassan Rowhani is sworn into office; President Obama marks six months into his second term; and Japan sends the first robotic astronaut into space.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: India and China convene talks on Depsang border security; President Obama hosts Vietnamese president Truong Tan Sang; and Pope Francis visits Brazil.

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.

In this special edition, CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon and CFR's Director of Studies Jim Lindsay start off the summer with a list of books that they will be reading in the weeks ahead. Listen in for recommendations from their reading lists, as well as reviews on books recently published by fellows at the Council on Foreign Relations.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. president Barack Obama hosts Chinese president Xi Jinping in California and Peru's president Ollanta Humala in Washington; and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testifies before the House budget committee.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The Senate takes on the immigration reform bill; Cuba opens limited Internet access to the public; and the Asia Security Summit takes place in Singapore.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Nawaz Sharif to be sworn in as Pakistan's prime minister; Vice President Joe Biden visits Brazil, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago; And Memorial Day is observed in the US.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The US debt ceiling suspension expires; the African Union summit takes place in Addis Ababa; and East Timor celebrates its 11th anniversary of independence.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Turkey's Prime Minister visits the White House; Israel celebrates National Day while Palestinians mark al-Nakba; The Arctic Council meets in Sweden; and the Cannes film festival kicks off in France.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. president Barack Obama visits Mexico and Costa Rica; Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe heads to Russia; and tensions persist over the East China Sea.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Investigations into the Boston Marathon explosions continue; King Abdullah II of Jordan visits the United States; and the ASEAN summit takes place in Brunei.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Britain honors the late Margaret Thatcher; Venezuelans select the successor to Hugo Chavez; and the World Bank and IMF spring meetings begin in Washington.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits South Korea, Japan and China; President Obama submits a budget to Congress; and the re-trial of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak begins in Cairo.