The election of the hawkish Shinzo Abe as Japan's prime minister has the world worrying that Tokyo is about to part with its pacifist strategy of the last 70 years. But Japan's new leaders are pragmatic, and so long as the United States does not waver in its commitment to the country's defense, they are unlikely chart a new course.

Secretary John Kerry and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius held this press conference after their meeting on February 27, 2013. They discussed the Syrian crisis, negotiations with Iran, and terrorism in North Africa.

Two new books lament the outsized role of the military in Israeli national security decisionmaking, blaming the generals for favoring force over diplomacy.

Secretary John Kerry and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held this press conference after their meeting on February 26, 2013. They discussed troops in Afghanistan, the Syria crisis, German-U.S. economic relations, and Iran.

Secretary John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary William Hague gave these remarks after their meeting on February 25, 2013, Kerry's first stop on his first international tour as Secretary of State. They discussed negotiations with Israel-Palestine, the Syrian crisis, Iran's nuclear program, troops in Afghanistan and North Africa, and the U.S.-EU transatlantic trade agreemeent.

President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Abe made these remarks after their meeting on February 22, 2013.

Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes held this conference call with National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Danny Russel and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Mike Froman, to preview Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's visit to Washington, on February 22, 2013.

Ambassador Fredrick Barton assesses challenges facing his bureau stemming from conflicts around the world.

"One day Europeans may find that the US military is not there to deal with threats lapping at their frontiers."

Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton gave these remarks before their meeting on February 14, 2013. They emphasized the strength of the U.S.-EU relationship, which includes the launch of trade and investment negotiations.

Secretary John Kerry and Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird gave these remarks on February 8, 2013. They discussed the U.S.-Canadian trade, travel, and security initiative laid out by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper in 2011, and how the two countries collaborate on energy and global foreign policy issues.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made these remarks at a meeting with Iran's air force on February 7, 2013, responding to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's offer of direct talks about Iran's nuclear program.

CFR Senior Fellows Robert M. Danin and Ed Husain lead a conversation on the current situation in Syria and discuss the challenges that lie ahead for the country and the international community.

Vice President Joe Biden presented these remarks at the Munich Security Conference on February 2, 2013. He discussed developments in American foreign policy and international security over the last four years, regarding Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear program, the global financial crisis, counterterrorism, and the relationship between the United States and Russia.

Its economy is in terrible condition and state authority is apparently breaking down. It's time to contemplate an intervention by Egypt's military, says CFR's Steven Cook.

Despite changes in both U.S. and Cuban leadership since early 2008, experts do not anticipate any normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations in the near to medium term.

Joint Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi presented this report at the United Nations Security Council on Janaury 29, 2013, to inform negotiations with Syria.

China understands that its growth depends on imports, say Graham Allison and Robert D. Blackwill.

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