The Palestinian Authority is about to get a new government. The move could spell good news for the region, and might just strengthen Washington’s quest to build a coalition to contain Iranian designs.   

Pakistan faces growing charges that its intelligence service, the ISI, is supporting a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan as well as terror attacks elsewhere. President Musharraf has dismissed the charges, although he has suggested there may be some unsanctioned Pakistani backing for the Taliban.

Micah Zenko discusses preventive priorities the United States will face in 2012.

Micah Zenko argues that while the United States should continue to use its military capabilities to support the no-fly zone in Libya, it should also work toward a negotiated end to the civil war.

Steve Simon and Jonathan Stevenson argue that it is not in American interests to take on the
"grand and onerous responsibility of rebuilding the Afghan state."

Paul B. Stares, David F. Gordon, and Mark L. Schneider discuss conflicts that could break out or escalate in 2013.

John Campbell, CFR's Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies, discusses the recent escalation of violence by Nigeria's radical Islamic movement, Boko Haram, and analyzes strategies to undermine the threat.

Experts examine the stability, security, risks, and quality of governance of the Democratic Republic of Congo since the 2006 elections, as well as the need for continued international engagement.

Upon their return from Sudan, George Clooney and John Prendergast assess the in-country situation in advance of southern Sudan's independence referendum this January.

Daniel L. Byman, senior fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center for Middle East Policy, discusses his Foreign Affairs article, "How to Handle Hamas: The Perils of Ignoring Gaza's Leadership" with students, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

Listen to CFR expert Joshua Kurlantzick assess the latest protests in Thailand and the implications of the unrest for U.S. policy.

Listen to CFR's Paul B. Stares discuss how to enhance U.S. preventive action capabilities with students, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

Listen to Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at CFR, discuss the recent conflict in Gaza as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call Series.

Listen to Steven A. Cook, CFR's senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies, discuss the continuing crisis in Gaza as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call Series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

With violence down and U.S. troop deaths at their lowest point since the Iraq war began, military analysts are in near-agreement that Iraq is more secure today. But CFR's Stephen Biddle and Steven Simon disagree on how to ensure stability continues. They discuss their views during this inaugural Foreign Affairs Live debate.

Listen to Robert E. Hunter of the RAND Corporation, Robert A. Malley of the International Crisis Group, and Dennis B. Ross of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, reflect on the past forty years of the Middle East peace process and debate strategies for the future.

Listen to Columbia University Professor Robert Legvold lead a discussion with Charles Gati, William Taubman and Richard Immerman on the Hungarian Revolt.

Listen to Council President Richard N. Haass lead a discussion with Douglas Brinkley, David Fromkin, Timothy Naftali, and Roger Owen on the Suez Crisis of 1956.

Buoyed by high oil prices, Russia finds itself embroiled in a number of disputes with foreign firms looking to tap its underdeveloped oil fields and with its neighbors that grew used to subsidized gas.