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James M. Lindsay

Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair

Expertise

U.S. foreign and defense policy; international security; globalization; Congress; domestic politics of U.S. foreign policy; public opinion.

Featured Publications

Book

America Unbound

Authors: James M. Lindsay and Ivo H. Daalder

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.

See more in United States, Presidency

All Publications

Ask CFR Experts

Why can’t the United States cut military spending?

The United States has cut defense spending in the past, and it is doing so again today. In 1989, for example, the Defense Department spent $295 billion; seven years later it spent $253 billion, or about 14 percent less in nominal dollars. When inflation is taken into account, defense spending dropped by more than 25 percent during the 1990s. U.S. defense spending will likely follow a similar trajectory over the next decade with the Afghanistan war ending and pressure mounting to cut government spending.

Read full answer

See more in Defense Policy and Budget

Podcast

The World Next Week: February 7, 2013

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Barack Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union Address; European Central Bank head Mario Draghi speaks before the Spanish Parliament; and Bahrain leadership and opposition meet for possible negotiations.

See more in U.S. Strategy and Politics

Podcast

The World Next Week: January 10, 2013

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: United States considers complete Afghan troop withdrawal; the Colombian government and FARC rebels hold peace talks; and the North American International Auto Show gets underway.

Podcast

The World Next Week: January 3, 2013

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The World Economic Forum publishes its annual Global Risks Report; Venezuela's presidential inauguration is clouded by illness; and the United States and Russia hold talks with the international envoy to Syria.

Podcast

The World Next Week: December 13, 2012

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Japan holds parliamentary snap elections; presidential elections take place in South Korea; Egypt prepares to hold a constitutional referendum; and the Electoral College votes on the U.S. president and vice president.

Podcast

The World Next Week: November 1, 2012

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the U.S. Northeast begins to recover from a massive storm; U.S. presidential elections take place; and China's Communist Party appoints its new leadership.

Podcast

The World Next Week: October 18, 2012

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The U.S. presidential foreign policy debate takes place; tensions between Turkey and Syria continue to escalate; Eid al-Adha celebrations commence; and the World Health Summit takes place in Berlin.

See more in U.S. Strategy and Politics