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.

Senator Chuck Hagel discusses his experiences in the army and the U.S. Senate, and gives his opinion about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This meeting is part of the HBO History Makers series.

Senator Chuck Hagel discusses his experiences in the army and the U.S. Senate, and gives his opinion about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This meeting is part of the HBO History Makers series.

Peter Orszag says the problem of gridlock in Washington might be a consequence of where voters choose to live.

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?

As President Barack Obama nears the halfway point in his four-year term, PolitiFact.com compiled a tally of campaign promises and found that he kept many more vows than he broke. Writing for Reuters, Alister Bull, highlights the larger promises.

Writing for the National Journal, four expert environmental bloggers outline what issues they expect President Obama to discuss, and what issues he should discuss.

In this New York Times Op-Ed, Paul Krugman argues that it is a misdiagnosis to say that America's economic problem is a lack of competitiveness

This National Public Radio article argues that the President's State of the Union Address will focus on job creation, while also extending an olive branch to the business community.

The Washington Post recently asked business leaders, policy experts and others to name an issue that President Obama should include in his Jan. 25 State of the Union address.

Mark Trumbull of the Christian Science Monitor believes that the speed of government spending cuts are likely to be major point of departure between Obama, who gives the State of the Union address on Tuesday, and congressional Republicans.

The New York Time's Michael Shear reports a number of policy suggestions from a variety of interest groups for President Obama's upcoming State of the Union Address.

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.