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: time runs out for the debt-reduction supercommittee; Egyptian parliamentary elections get underway; and the anniversary of the Nuremberg trials is marked.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: The eurozone debt crisis spurs speculation of a breakup; the IAEA board of governors meets to discuss Iran; a North American leaders' summit convenes; and Aung San Suu Kyi weighs a return to Myanmar politics.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Hawaii hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit; GOP candidates meet again in Michigan; and the International Energy Agency releases its annual World Energy Outlook.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: NATO weighs an end to the Libya campaign; G20 leaders gather in Cannes; and the world's population is projected to reach 7 billion.

Rob Quartel, chairman and CEO of NTELX, discusses the need for investment in U.S. infrastructure with CFR's James M. Lindsay. "We really have to focus on alternative means for paying for infrastructure," argues Quartel.

Senator Carl M. Levin (D-MI), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, discusses U.S. involvement in Libya following Qaddafi's death, as well as progress in Afghanistan and possible federal budget sequestration with CFR's James M. Lindsay.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: United States-North Korea talks are held in Geneva; the first post-Arab Spring election takes place in Tunisia; and United Nations Day is marked.

Kurt J. Nagle, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities, discusses the infrastructure investment needed to increase U.S. trade and competitiveness with CFR's director of studies, James M. Lindsay.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Iran faces pressure over an alleged plot to kill a Saudi Envoy; Republican candidates convene for another debate; and elections are held for five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: G20 finance ministers meet in Paris amid an ongoing Eurozone crisis; Republican presidential hopefuls convene for another debate; and opening statements are heard in the "underwear bomber" trial.

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.