The outcome of the presidential election will have significant impact on U.S. foreign policy, particularly considering the debabte over the potential of war with Iran.

This Independent Task Force report assesses U.S. objectives, strategy, and policy options in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It supports a long-term partnership with Pakistan, calls for a new approach to Afghan political reform, reconciliation, and regional diplomacy, and says that a more limited U.S. mission in Afghanistan would be warranted if the present strategy does not show signs of progress. This report is also available in Italian.

Listen to experts for a discussion of foreign policy during President Obama's first 100 days.

Watch experts breakdown U.S. foreign policy during President Obama's first 100 days.

In testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee this week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton cited the top priorities of the Obama administration as "existing and emerging challenges" that would not only define Barack Obama's presidency but also "shape our century."  As the administration passes the hundred-day mark, join Samuel Berger and Lawrence Eagleburger for a discussion of foreign policy during President Obama's time in office thus far.

Samuel Berger talks about his years in the Clinton administration and the foreign policy challenges that he encountered, including humanitarian intervention, the threat of terrorism, North Korea, and the Middle East peace process.

Listen to former National Security Adviser Samuel Berger discuss, as part of the Council’s HBO History Maker Series, his service during the Clinton administration and the foreign policy issues he dealt with, including humanitarian intervention, the Middle East peace process, North Korea, and terrorism.

Watch former National Security Adviser Samuel Berger discuss, as part of the Council's HBO History Maker Series, his service during the Clinton administration and the foreign policy issues he dealt with, including humanitarian intervention, the Middle East peace process, North Korea, and terrorism.

This Council-sponsored, independent Task Force points out that nation-building is not just a humanitarian concern, but a critical national security priority that should be on par with war-fighting and urges the United States to equalize the importance of the two. The report argues that the United States must acknowledge that “war-fighting has two important dimensions: winning the war and winning the peace.”

By stressing unilateralism over cooperation, preemption over prevention, and firepower over staying power, the Bush administration has alienated the United States' natural allies and disengaged from many of the world's most pressing problems. To restore U.S. global standing—which is essential in checking the spread of lethal weapons and winning the war on terrorism—the next Democratic president must recognize the obvious: that means are as important as ends.

Despite isolationist sentiments at home and resentment from abroad, President Clinton has preserved America's authority as the world's leader. U.S. foreign policy now follows not a single doctrine but a set of strategic objectives drawn from a clear understanding of globalization. Over the last eight years, Clinton has revitalized U.S. alliances, integrated former adversaries into international organizations, negotiated peace (even in areas of marginal security interest), fought nuclear proliferation and deadly diseases, and advanced economic integration while alleviating economic disparities. More tasks remain—from supporting new democracies to fighting international terrorism to reinventing the U.N. All this cannot be done, however, if the United States continues to underfund its foreign policy and shirk its obligations to international organizations. America should not apologize for being a "hyperpower"; it must preserve its authority as one.