Yingluck Shinawatra was elected prime minister of Thailand in July 2011. She has so far achieved the most important thing in Thailand today, which is preserving a fragile peace between different interest groups and political sides.

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Sheila A. Smith argues that tensions between Japan and China over disputed islands in the East China Sea could seriously harm U.S. interests. She discusses steps the United States could take to de-escalate the crisis.

It is time for Washington to rebalance its dual-track policy toward Iran, strengthening the diplomatic track in order to seize the opportunity created by the pressure track. The United States should now dedicate as much energy and creativity to negotiating directly with Iran as it has to assembling a broad international coalition to pressure and isolate Iran. Only by taking such a rebalanced approach might the United States achieve its objectives with respect to Iran's nuclear program.

Moscow and Washington share a number of significant interests that require cooperation, despite heightened bilateral tensions over human rights issues, says former U.S ambassador Jack F. Matlock, Jr.

Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson discusses the international economic, environmental, and security implications of a changing Arctic region.

Secretary of State John Kerry gave this speech at the Tokyo Institute of Technology on April 15, 2013. He discussed the commitment of the United States to strengthen its partnerships with Asia and the Pacific.

The G8 Foreign Ministers released this joint statement on April 11, 2013, which outlines their commitments to addressing topics such as sexual violence in conflict, nonproliferation and disarmament in Iran and North Korea, and political reform in Burma.

Foreign ministers from the G8 nations declared "rape and other forms of serious sexual violence in armed conflict are war crimes," violate the Geneva Conventions, and are a priority to address. Adopted on April 11, 2013, the declaration outlines how to investigate and prosecute rape and provide services for victims.

Secretary of State John Kerry held this press conference after his trip to Israel on April 9, 2013. He discussed his meetings with Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad, and President Peres and speculation on the Arab Peace Initiative.

Linda Robinson writes that the upcoming anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death highlights the continued need for a "more comprehensive approach to special operations as part of U.S. national security policy."

Boao Forum is an annual conference that brings together government, business, and academic leaders to discuss economic and social issues in Asia. Chinese President Xi Jinping gave the keynote speech, titled Working Together Toward a Better Future for Asia and the World, on April 7, 2013.

Twenty-eight representatives signed a letter on April 5, 2013, to President Obama, regarding the White House budget proposal's changes to the Food for Peace Program.

Read Yanzhong Huang's chapter titled "Global Health,Civil Society, and Regional Security," in the book A Growing Force for Good: Civil Society's Role in Asian Regional Security, edited by Rizal Sukma and James Gannon.

The UNSC is unlikely to be altered any time soon. Any resolution to expand the UNSC would need to garner the support of two-thirds of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), or 129 votes, as well as endorsement by the five permanent members to succeed.

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While there was some early discussion on where to base the command (continental United States, Africa, or Germany), its current location in Germany has the existing infrastructure, transportation links, housing, schools, and health facilities to support its personnel, employees, and family members. Any future rebasing discussions will need to take into account a cost-benefit analysis—and in a time of fiscal uncertainty, the cost might be prohibitive.

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The success of a surprise cease-fire between Turkey and PKK insurgents hinges on Ankara granting the Kurds greater autonomy and whether the militant group disarms, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

Ambassador of Japan to the United States H.E. Kenichiro Sasae spoke at Brookings in Washington, D.C. on March 22, 2013.

President Obama and Palestinian Authority President Abbas held this press conference on March 21, 2013.

President Barack Obama and Israeli President Shimon Peres gave these remarks after their meeting on March 20, 2013, during President Obama's first trip to Israel as president.

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held this press conference on March 20, 2013 during Obama's first trip to Israel as President. They discussed U.S. security and monetary support to Israel, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and regional security.