Elliott Abrams poses ten questions that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should be asking Robert Ford before confirming him as ambassador to Syria.

A tentative agreement on raising the debt ceiling falls far short of the deep reforms needed to improve U.S. spending patterns and the country's global standing, writes CFR's Sebastian Mallaby.

In his piece for The New Yorker, James Surowiecki argues that instead of figuring out ways to raise the debt ceiling, Congress should simply go ahead and abolish it.

The U.S. debt ceiling and deficit debate has led to challenges on foreign aid spending, but while aid could be leaner and more effective, CFR's Stewart Patrick argues Congress should look to consolidate programs rather than simply cut them.

The current level of political dysfunction and ideological polarization in Congress is beyond the norm. A broken legislative branch risks plunging the United States into an economic catastrophe and damaging the nation's global standing, writes Norman Ornstein.

A new proposal by the bipartisan "Gang of Six" to reduce deficits by nearly $4 trillion could gain traction among House Republicans, with polls showing greater public support for raising the debt ceiling as the August 2 deadline approaches, says CFR's Sebastian Mallaby.

As the debt-ceiling deadline looms, political wrangling has escalated, but lawmakers are likely to cobble together an agreement that avoids default.

James M. Lindsay says a U.S. debt default will harm America's ability to wield and project its power in the world.

This analysis outlines eight reasons why the "Theory of Inevitable Compromise"--that Republicans and Democrats will ultimately hammer out a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling ahead of August 2--may not hold true in this instance.

The Economist argues that the Republicans are playing a cynical political game with hugely high economic stakes as they cling to the position that not a single cent of deficit reduction must come from a higher tax take.

Matthew C. Waxman discusses the lawsuit challenging U.S. participation in the Libyan military mission.

Senator Chuck Hagel discusses his experiences in the army and the U.S. Senate, and expresses his views on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In this piece for Foreign Policy, Flynt Leverett, Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation and Hillary Mann Leverett, a professor at American University, write that American policy in the Middle East is no better under the Obama administration than it was under the Bush administration.

John B. Bellinger III says President Obama should seize the opportunity presented by Republican support for increased domestic oil and gas production to urge the Senate to approve the Law of the Sea Convention.

NASA's human spaceflight ventures may be fading away due to continued underfunding, despite perennial efforts by some members of Congress and the science community, reports Keith Perine.

President Obama's competing deficit-cutting plan stimulates a crucial debate with Republicans that will have major consequences for U.S. and global growth, but no compromise appears imminent, says CFR's James Lindsay.

The December 2010 Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review emphasized, among other things, the importance of smart and coordinated foreign assistance efforts, and a whole of government approach to achieving U.S. foreign policy goals. NGOs, private sector companies, and others have traditionally worked alongside government to support U.S. foreign policy efforts that align to their own interests; from immediate responses to humanitarian disasters, to translating large scale economic development initiatives into local level implementation, to solving regional and global issues from malaria and HIV prevention, to environmental sustainability. Where public sector and private sector interests and objectives intersect, leveraging resources and improving collaboration among stakeholders can lead to positive outcomes-as well as challenges. How have government, civil society organizations, and the private sector coordinated in areas of mutual interest? What can government do to encourage a "beyond whole of government" approach to U.S. foreign policy?

Experts examine the effects of the current Congressional stalemate, minimal economic growth, and the increasing debt burden on U.S. foreign policy in the Obama administration.

On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, CFR will examine through a series of meetings and other projects how policies at home will directly influence the economic and military strength of the United States and its ability to act in the world.

Experts examine the effects of the current Congressional stalemate, minimal economic growth, and the increasing debt burden on U.S. foreign policy in the Obama administration.

On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, CFR will examine through a series of meetings and other projects how policies at home will directly influence the economic and military strength of the United States and its ability to act in the world.

The new Congress, featuring a GOP-controlled House and a Democratic-led Senate, is likely to be dominated by partisan squabbles over debts and deficits, sidelining foreign policy, says CFR's James Lindsay.