The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a confirmation hearing for Treasury Secretary nominee Jacob Lew on February 13, 2013.

The Egyptian uprising presents a rare opportunity for the United States to resolve the tension between its strategic priorities in the Middle East and its desire to support democratic change in the region. Washington's past approach to aiding Egypt was based on relations with authoritarian leaders who could be counted on to advance the United States' interests. With the fall of Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian efforts to build a more open political system, a policy based on "authoritarian stability" is no longer possible, and the United States is now forced to alter the way it appropriates and distributes bilateral assistance.

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President Obama gave the State of the Union address on February 12, 2013. Senator Marco Rubio presented the Republican response and Senator Rand Paul presented the Tea Party response.

Senator Rand Paul presented these remarks as the Tea Party Response to President Obama's State of the Union address on February 12, 2013. Senator Marco Rubio presented the Republican response.

Senator Marco Rubio presented the Republican Address to the Nation, in response to President Obama's State of the Union address on February 12, 2013. Senator Rand Paul presented the Tea Party response.

What sort of foreign policy agenda will President Obama's second term pursue? Asia, trade, and Mideast crisis management must all be in the forefront, say four global experts.

The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence held this confirmation hearing for CIA director nominee John Brennan on February 7, 2013. The Committee posted Brennan's responses to their questionnaire for presidential nominees and additional prehearing questions, and CSPAN provided video of the hearing.

Michael A. Levi and Daniel P. Ahn say, "If lawmakers decide to go ahead with further deficit reduction, they would be remiss not to take a hard look at higher oil taxes as part of the deal."

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.

Micah Zenko says, "Most analysts and journalists have focused on President Obama's expanded scope, intensity, and institutionalization of targeted killings against suspected terrorists and militants. However, perhaps the enduring legacy of the Obama administration will be its sustained, rigorous effort to shape and define-down the idea of war."

Throughout Chuck Hagel's marathon confirmation hearing, America's decade-long war in Afghanistan was noticeably overlooked. But it is curious to see the next secretary of defense receive so few inquiries from senators about the war whose end he will presumably oversee in the coming years, says Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

In her farewell address, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses American leadership.

In her farewell address, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses American leadership.

In her farewell address, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses American leadership.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services held this confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Charles Hagel on January 31, 2013.

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.

George P. Shultz discusses his distinguished career and government service, from the Nixon and Reagan administrations to academia, and shares his thoughts on the present and future foreign policy directions for the United States.

Shannon K. O'Neil says after Republicans' election-year drubbing, the United States has an historic opportunity to fix its broken immigration system. And the arguments against reform simply don't hold up anymore.

George P. Shultz discusses his distinguished career and government service, from the Nixon and Reagan administrations to academia, and shares his thoughts on the present and future foreign policy directions for the United States.

George P. Shultz discusses his distinguished career and government service, from the Nixon and Reagan administrations to academia, and shares his thoughts on the present and future foreign policy directions for the United States.