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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The second presidential debate takes place in Hempstead, New York; one year is marked since the death of Muammar Qaddafi; and it's the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. Vice Presidential candidates get their turn to debate, presidential elections take place in Venezuela, and the Nobel Peace Prize recipient is announced.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Obama and Romney face off in the first presidential debate; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the United States; and Georgia holds parliamentary elections.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: heads of state address the UN General Assembly; Myanmar's opposition leader arrives for a landmark U.S. visit; and China and Japan mark the fortieth anniversary of diplomatic ties amid growing tensions.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks is marked; the U.S. presidential campaign enters the home stretch; and the Federal Reserve's policymaking committee convenes.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Egypt undergoes a power transition; the UN Observer Mission expires in Syria; World Humanitarian Day takes place; and Russia joins the World Trade Organization.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Secretary of State Clinton visits Turkey; the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation convenes in Mecca; the UN's Clean Development Methodology Panel meets in Bonn; and Puerto Rico holds a referendum on its political status.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Congress rises for summer recess; violence continues in Syria; the anniversary of Hiroshima's atomic bombing is marked; and NASA's Curiosity rover lands on Mars.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney visits Great Britain, Israel, and Poland; Mercosur holds a special summit in Rio; countries convene in the United States over the EU's Emissions Trading System; and Apple and Samsung face off over patents.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Egypt; India holds presidential elections; the EU and IMF visit Hungary; and the UN Security Council debates Somalia.