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.

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.

CFR's James M. Lindsay recalls the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and discusses the balance between civil liberties and national security.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: UN nuclear officials visit Iran for a second time; a Friends of Syria meeting is held in Tunis; and G20 foreign ministers convene in Mexico.

CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers Richard Nixon's historic trip to China in 1972 and discusses the importance of diplomacy in international relations.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: President Obama presents the 2013 budget to Congress; the Senate Armed Services Committee debates worldwide threats; Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visits Washington; and the one-year anniversary of Mubarak's ouster is marked.

CFR's James M. Lindsay discusses Nelson Mandela's release from prison in February 1990 and his subsequent rise to the presidency to show how individuals shape history.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The debate over intervention in Syria continues; an annual security conference convenes in Munich; and the twentieth anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty is marked.

CFR's James M. Lindsay recalls the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam and the importance of managing public expectations amid major foreign policy initiatives.

President Obama's 2012 State of the Union address emphasized his economic revival plans but it also included a potent foreign policy message, says CFR's James M. Lindsay.