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 UN Human Rights Council debates Syria; Afghanistan marks a decade since the U.S.-led invasion; the 30th anniversary of Egyptian President Sadat's assassination is marked.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Palestinians pursue UN statehood recognition; The U.S. tries to mitigate Mideast tensions; and the UN Security Council debates Afghanistan as the country mourns assassinated former Persident Rabbani.

Overshadowed by the issue of Palestinian statehood, President Barack Obama offered a strong defense of Israel but little in the way of specifics to revive the Mideast peace process, writes CFR's James Lindsay.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is marked; the bipartisan super committee on deficit reduction begins work in Washington; Libyan rebel forces aim to close in on remaining Qaddafi loyalists; and national elections are held in Guatemala.

This video is part of a special Council on Foreign Relations series that explores how 9/11 changed international relations and U.S. foreign policy. In this video, James M. Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair at the Council on Foreign Relations traces the shifts in the balance of power in American politics following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "What we witnessed in the months after the attack was a political dynamic as old as the American republic. When the country feels imperiled, the White House gains in power and Congress loses it," says Lindsay. However, ten years after the attacks, "the era of terrorism has given way to the era of fiscal austerity," Lindsay argues, and "we now have American politics that looks more normal, that is much more focused inward, and features much more heated battles between Capitol Hill and the White House."

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: the United Nations discusses operations in Libya; Republican presidential candidates react to the news from Tripoli; Japan’s governing party picks a new prime minister.

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program Stewart Patrick preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: The famine in the horn of Africa continues to unfold; Rebel gains in Libya may accelerate talk of an end to the conflict; and the UN Security Council debates its peacekeeping operations.

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and Director of the International Institutions and CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: Iowa Republicans cast their ballots in the Ames Straw poll; Vice President Joe Biden visits Asia; The trial of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak resumes in Cairo; Germany marks the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Global markets' reaction to eurozone turbulence and S&P's downgrade of U.S. debt add uncertainty to U.S. foreign policy, raising questions about which goals the country has the means to pursue, says CFR's James M. Lindsay.

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program Stewart Patrick preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: The United States is expected to run out of money to pay its bills unless an agreement is reached on raising the debt ceiling; Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stands trial in Cairo; and senior U.S. and North Korean diplomats hold 'explanatory' talks

CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program Stewart Patrick preview major world events in the week ahead.

In this week's podcast: The United States is expected to run out of money to pay its bills unless an agreement is reached on raising the debt ceiling; Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stands trial in Cairo; and senior U.S. and North Korean diplomats hold 'explanatory' talks

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the debt-ceiling standoff continues in Washington; U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Indonesia, Hong Kong, and China; Peru's President-elect Ollanta Humala is sworn in; and the UN Security Council debates Sudan and Libya.

James M. Lindsay says a U.S. debt default will harm America's ability to wield and project its power in the world.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: debt talks continue in Washington as default deadline looms; Secretary Clinton visits India; NATO forces hand Helmand's capital over to Afghan forces; and the UN Security Council debates the impact of Climate Change.

President Obama today used his bully pulpit to press Republicans for a deal on raising the U.S. debt ceiling but both sides appear set to take their dispute to the final moments, as financial markets watch anxiously, writes CFR's James Lindsay.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: South Sudan declares independence; the Syrian Government convenes a national dialogue; Republic Day is marked in Iraq; and the Royal newlyweds visit the United States.

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.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Thailand holds general elections; Venezuela celebrates 200 years of independence; and Space Shuttle Atlantis launches into orbit for the final time.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan; a changing of the guard among U.S. defense officials gets underway; and the Greek parliament votes on austerity measures.