CFR's James M. Lindsay remembers the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC, on April 4, 1949, and discusses the difficulty inherent in pursuing fundamental changes to a nation's foreign policy.

Charles A. Kupchan argues that the Atlantic alliance is remarkably resilient, but it must now face the urgent challenge of economic and political weakness that has descended upon the West.

NATO's operation in Libya has rightly been hailed as a model intervention.

The Pentagon's plan for an end to U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2013 has drawn familiar battle lines in the public debate over the proper endgame for the war.

Colonel Chad T. Manske, USAF, says Western economies and capabilities are more inextricably linked than ever and warns against a policy shift away from U.S. security and interests in Europe.

Colonel Chad T. Manske, USAF, explains why now is not the time to retreat from Europe.

The U.S. Departments of State and Defense issued this statement on November 26, 2011 following the November 25 NATO airstrike.

Micah Zenko argues that overreaching Western eagerness to help Libya's rebels will now make it more difficult to line up meaningful outside support for Syria's opposition.

Max Boot says that while Qaddafi has fallen in Libya, it is too soon to tell whether Operation Unified Protector is a success.

Max Boot says the fall of Muammar al-Qaddafi will create a dangerous situation in Libya, and NATO and the UN will likely have to send economic aid and peacekeeping troops.

Elliott Abrams argues that while the fall of Muammar al-Qaddafi is a victory, President Obama's failure to act sooner and more resolutely in the Libyan conflict has caused NATO to suffer greater damage than necessary.

Richard N. Haass says international assistance, and most likely an international force, is likely to be needed for some time to restore and maintain order in Libya.

Max Boot says recognizing the provisional government is important progress in Lybia, but it's time to deal with the Gadhafi regime.

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

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

NATO released its Policy on Cyber Defence on June 8, 2011.

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.