New IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde has to move quickly to establish independence from the European authorities who got her the job, enhance the IMF's legitimacy, and display her ability to manage the fund, says CFR's Steven Dunaway.

NATO's success in Libya shows how important and effective the alliance remains, writes its secretary-general.

Evan A. Feigenbaum argues that any multilateral group in Asia is more likely to be effective if Asian nations assemble those with the greatest power and capacity and have a clear, agreed purpose.

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

Though Standard and Poor's ranks Greece as the world's lowest-rated economy, calling into question the eurozone's future, economist Iain Begg says the debt crisis will paradoxically have the effect of deepening EU integration.

Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, head of NATO training efforts in Afghanistan, says 9 out of 10 Afghan security recruits are illiterate, and emphasizes the education role that has become a major component of NATO training. Caldwell expects NATO and U.S. forces to remain in Afghanistan well after 2014, when Afghan forces are planned to take on security leadership in the country.

As the United States prepares to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, General Caldwell discusses the U.S. and NATO investment in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well as the importance and challenges of the upcoming transition.

As the United States prepares to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, General Caldwell discusses the U.S. and NATO investment in the Afghan National Security Forces, as well as the importance and challenges of the upcoming transition.

Daniel L. Byman and Matthew Waxman discuss six reasons why it's been so tough to get Muammar al-Qaddafi to quit.

European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn expects negotiations on a new Greek aid plan between the EU, IMF, and Greek government will conclude "in the coming days," ahead of the EU finance ministers' meeting scheduled for June 20.

European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn says French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde "would make a very good managing director of the IMF for the whole world, not only for Europe." "The European Union and its member states see that Christine Lagarde, the finance minister of France, has very strong professional qualifications and has earned the respect of her peers as the chairperson of the G20," Rehn said.

James M. Lindsay outlines steps the Obama administration could take in Libya that do not involve sending in U.S. combat troops.

Mideast upheaval was a top issue at the G8, which is winding down today in France, along with nuclear safety, leadership of the IMF, and aid to Africa. This Backgrounder profiles the eight participants and their priorities.

Writers for the Economist argue that President Obama will have a difficult time trying to convince Palestinians that they should direct their arguments and conduct negotiations for statehood through Washington as opposed to through the United Nations in September.

The arrest of IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on charges of sexual assault could hamper the fund's short-term ability to help manage the eurozone crisis but is not likely to harm the IMF over the long term, says CFR's Steven Dunaway.

In this New York Times op-ed, Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, lays out his case as to why the General Assembly, meeting in September, should admit Palestine to the United Nations.

Even those who opposed the Libyan entanglement would agree that the west must see this through to an acceptable conclusion. The honour and credibility of the west are now engaged here, writes Max Hastings of the Financial Times.

In this New York Times Op-Ed, Mahmoud Gebril Elwarfally argues that the Libyan opposition needs financial support and diplomatic recognition to defeat Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

James M. Lindsay says the military trainers sent by Britain, France, and Italy to aid rebels will not do much to change the course of fighting in Libya.

This module features teaching notes by CFR former senior fellow for transatlantic relations James M. Goldgeier, author of the Council Special Report The Future of NATO, along with other resources to supplement the text. Dr. Goldgeier discusses the relevance of NATO in a post-cold war world, and how the U.S. can benefit from collective security across the atlantic for the successful outcome of military operations in the Middle East.