Elliott Abrams argues that President Obama's recent State of the Union address settled the matter on the existence of an Obama Doctrine.

The Council on Foreign Relations has launched a new blog, The Candidates and the World, to provide information and nonpartisan analysis on the foreign policy and national security dimensions of the 2012 presidential race.

A year after President Hosni Mubarak's ouster from power, U.S.-Egypt relations are under threat as Cairo presses charges against U.S. nongovernmental pro-democracy workers. CFR's Steven A. Cook discusses the implications this has for U.S. aid to Egypt.

Europeans are closely watching the U.S. presidential campaign despite their ongoing economic troubles because the United States remains the number one power in the world, says German expert Josef Joffe.

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.

U.S oil dependence has been steadily decreasing recently, but energy policy will continue to present great challenges for the U.S. president taking office in 2013, says CFR's Michael A. Levi.

Peter Orszag wants the United States to rely more on automatic stabilizers to stem the shocks from recessions.

Nicholas Noe argues that an internationally led reconciliation effort and subsequent peace-keeping presence in Syria would bypass the resulting destruction of a military intervention or civil war, while still keeping the diplomatic upper hand.

Steve Coll, Robert Grenier, and Daniel Markey look at changes in U.S.-Pakistan relations over the past year and make recommendations for moving forward.

David Marchick calls for new U.S. government efforts to increase the small share of Chinese direct investment in the United States, including combating perceived prejudices, removing policy impediments, and encouraging U.S. businesses to partner with their Chinese counterparts.

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.

Rick Santorum gave this speech on February 7, 2012, following his wins at the Minnesota caucus and Missouri primary.

Jagdish Bhagwati criticizes U.S. President Barack Obama for failing to close the Doha Round, decrying outsourcing, and surrending to the "manufactures fetish."

Charles A. Kupchan says American politicians need to stop pretending the United States runs the world.

Sebastian Mallaby proposes that Mitt Romney declare war on America's addiction to debt.

TIME's Michael Scherer comments on the class-based sense of injustice that is now roiling all sides of the ideological spectrum.

This CFR Issue Tracker looks at the United States' relationship with Russia and presidential candidates' stances on the issue.

The Pentagon's plan for an end to U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2013 has drawn familiar battle lines in the public debate over the proper endgame for the war.

Ron Paul released this "Economic Plan to Restore Nevada" on February 2, 2012. The press release states,

"The plan helps Nevada residents, workers, retirees, debtors, home buyers, homeowners including those facing foreclosure, job-creators like the tourism industry, federal land ownership victims, and other stakeholders renew the Silver State's economy and sovereignty after decades of disastrous Washington interference.

The five key elements of the 'Plan to Restore Nevada' include:

1. Restoring Nevada's Job Market
2. Restoring the Housing Market
3. Restoring Tipped-Worker Wages
4. Restoring a Common Sense Visa System
5. Giving Nevada Back To Nevadans."