CFR's Micah Zenko discusses with students secret military operations undertaken by the United States over the past twenty years, their sucesses and failures, and reasons why they were used, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

Washington has for decades relied on limited military force to achieve political objectives abroad. In a new book, CFR's Micah Zenko argues these tactics, while politically popular, rarely achieve their aims.

The reliance on unmanned drones to target terror suspects in Pakistan has been quietly lauded by U.S. officials. But the covert program, which has so far gotten little public scrutiny, is facing mounting legal and ethical concerns.

Despite recent successes, unmanned drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan remain a controversial tactic. CFR's Micah Zenko says the Obama administration must shed new details on the "worst kept covert secret in the history of U.S. foreign policy."

C. Christine Fair, assistant professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, offers a look at the true and false behind arguments against the United States' use of drone airstrikes.

Former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright analyzes how transatlantic relations will evolve and why NATO remains relevant today.

This meeting was the annual John B. Hurford Memorial Lecture.

Dr. Albright will discuss the new recommendations and analyses of the Group of Experts on NATO's New Strategic Concept, including how NATO governments can further transform the Alliance, and the twenty-first century challenges and opportunities the Alliance will face.

Former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright analyzes how transatlantic relations will evolve and why NATO remains relevant today.

This meeting was the annual John B. Hurford Memorial Lecture.

As the United States must not abandon the thousands of Iraqis currently risking their lives to work alongside our soldiers, diplomats, and aid workers. The Obama Administration cannot wait until the final hours of the withdrawal to address this moral imperative.

CFR expert Daniel Markey, who just returned from a trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan, discusses current U.S. policy toward the region.

Listen to CFR expert Daniel Markey, just returned from a trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan, discuss current U.S. policy toward the region.

Listen to Michèle Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, walk through the Department of Defense's review of national defense strategy and priorities.

Watch Michèle Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, walk through the Department of Defense's review of national defense strategy and priorities.