The quadrennial U.S. presidential nominating conventions are usually dominated by domestic themes. But they have at times been flavored by global economic concerns and national security threats, offering competing Democratic and Republican visions about the United States' role in the world.

The year 2011 was marked by the advance of democratic movements in the Arab world and the economic struggle of advanced democracies. It saw unprecedented military operations in Pakistan and Libya and a new U.S. military commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. This interactive slideshow showcases ten momentous developments in 2011 that will likely continue to reverberate.

This CFR Interactive looks at the history of U.S. oil dependence and foreign policy, from the days of the first market, to the crisis of 1970s, to the struggle to balance energy security with environmental concerns.

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill involving Britain's BP marks the latest instance of an industrial disaster pitting companies from one country against citizens and governments of another. This slideshow provides a chronology of ten major instances in which multinational corporations were involved in industrial incidents, and their legal and regulatory aftermath.

This timeline looks at the history of U.S.-Russia arms control milestones from 1949 to present.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Kenya holds presidential and parliamentary elections; Italy tries to sort out its post-election stalemate; and the 60th anniversary of death of Stalin is marked.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Sequestration is set to go into effect; Pope Benedict XVI steps down; and the Academy Awards take on foreign policy.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Italy holds general elections; NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels; and the UN Security Council debates North Korea sanctions.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Barack Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union Address; European Central Bank head Mario Draghi speaks before the Spanish Parliament; and Bahrain leadership and opposition meet for possible negotiations.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: the European Union hosts an international meeting on Mali; Egypt hosts the twelfth Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit; and parliamentary elections for Cuba take place.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Confirmation hearings begin for President Obama's initial round of cabinet nominees; Vice President Joe Biden attends the Munich Conference; and the WTO seeks its next director-general.

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: 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: North Korea plans a rocket launch; the IAEA resumes talks on Iran's nuclear program; and the EU caps its year with a summit.

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.