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: Presidential elections take place in Egypt; the NATO summit convenes in Chicago; and Iran and P5+1 nuclear talks take place in Baghdad.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The IAEA resumes nuclear talks with Iran; G8 summit convenes at Camp David; Francois Hollande is inaugurated as France's new president; And the Cannes film festival opens.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The second round of presidential elections takes place in France; Vladimir Putin is sworn into office as new president of Russia; North Korea plans a third nuclear test; and Secretary Clinton visits Bangladesh and India.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The one-year anniversary of Osama Bin Laden killing is marked; the fourth round of U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue takes place in Beijing; the UN's Ban Ki-moon visits Myanmar; and Vietnam marks Liberation Day.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: France holds its presidential election; the funeral of Malawian President Mutharika is held; the Chernobyl disaster passes its twenty-sixth anniversary; and Earth Day is marked.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the Bay of Pigs invasion, which began on April 17, 1961, and discusses the importance of preparing for failure and planning accordingly.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: North Korea plans a controversial satellite launch; the Summit of the Americas convenes in Colombia; and the IMF and World Bank hold spring meetings.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers President Harry Truman's announcement on April 11, 1951, that he had dismissed General Douglas MacArthur as commanding general of U.S. forces in Korea, and discusses the principle of civilian control of the military.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC, on April 4, 1949, and discusses the difficulty inherent in pursuing fundamental changes to a nation's foreign policy.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The United States takes over the UN Security Council presidency; World Bank nominee Jim Yong Kim embarks on a world tour; and by-elections are held in Myanmar.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers President Lyndon B. Johnson's announcement on March 31, 1968, that he would not seek reelection, and discusses the damage that foreign policy can do to a presidency.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The Arab League summit convenes in Baghdad; Obama attends a nuclear summit and visits the Demilitarized Zone during his South Korea trip; a presidential runoff election takes place in Senegal; and the Pope goes to Cuba.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the sarin gas attack on Tokyo's subway on March 20, 1995 by a religious cult, and discusses how technological advances increasingly mean that governments are no longer the only ones capable of inflicting mass destruction.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The UN Security Council debates sanctions on Iran and the mission in Afghanistan; Greece is set to receive the first payment of its second bailout.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers Adolf Hitler's announcement in 1935 that he would reintroduce conscription in Germany, and discusses instances when a country should be confronted rather than accommodated.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The anniversary of Japan's triple disaster is marked; Syria's uprising reaches the one-year mark; and British Prime Minister David Cameron visits Washington.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the firebombing of Tokyo during World War II and discusses the destructive power of conventional weapons.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Presidential elections are held in Russia; parliamentary elections are held in Iran; AIPAC holds its annual conference; and ten U.S. states vote for GOP candidates on Super Tuesday.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and discusses the difficulty inherent in writing a workable constitution.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Congressional committees debate the international affairs budget; presidential primaries are held in Arizona and Michigan; and the UN Human Rights Council convenes in Geneva.