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: Kenya holds presidential and parliamentary elections; Italy tries to sort out its post-election stalemate; and the 60th anniversary of death of Stalin is marked.

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.

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A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Italy holds general elections; NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels; and the UN Security Council debates North Korea sanctions.

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.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the European Union hosts an international meeting on Mali; Egypt hosts the twelfth Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit; and parliamentary elections for Cuba take place.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Confirmation hearings begin for President Obama's initial round of cabinet nominees; Vice President Joe Biden attends the Munich Conference; and the WTO seeks its next director-general.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. President Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Asean nations; and Israel and Jordan hold elections.

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.

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.

In this interview, CFR's James Lindsay discusses three major foreign policy challenges confronting the United States in 2013, including tumult in the Middle East, rising tensions in East Asia, and the U.S. fiscal cliff.

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.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Mexico's new president takes office; the UN Climate Change Conference continues in Qatar; and NASA gives a highly anticipated update on the Mars rover mission.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. President Barack Obama visits Myanmar; elections take place in Catalonia, Spain; and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is marked.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the U.S. Congress returns for its lame-duck session; the Greek parliament votes on a critical budget; and California holds the nation's largest auction of carbon pollution allowances.

No matter who wins the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, an array of foreign policy challenges await, says CFR's James Lindsay.

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.

James M. Lindsay says Obama's and Romney's views on foreign policy are broadly similar—both men are internationalists with a strong pragmatic streak, and they largely agree on the chief threats the United States faces overseas. Their differences are primarily over details, tactics, and tone.

In light of Monday night's presidential debate on foreign policy, James M. Lindsay explores five memorable moments from past debates.

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.