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.

President Obama gave these remarks in Las Vegas on January 29, 2013, the day after a bipartisan group of senators released their framework for immigration reform. Both plans include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and tightened border security.

A bipartisan group of eight U.S. senators proposed a framework for immigration reform released January 28, 2013 and President Obama outlined his plan for reform in a speech on January 29, 2013. Both plans include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and tightened border security. On April 16, 2013, S. 744: Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act was proposed.

In order to gain more congressional support for national security and foreign policy measures, "The Obama administration will need to pick its legislative priorities more deliberately, engage with allies and opponents in Congress more actively, and be willing to negotiate compromises or wage aggressive campaigns on key issues," says Matthew C. Waxman.

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.

Senator John Kerry gave these remarks during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on January 24, 2013.

U.S. foreign policy is largely directed by presidents, but Congress does have considerable influence, as this CFR Backgrounder explains.