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.

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

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.

NATO's failure to apply sufficient military force to oust Libya's leader and protect civilians is a blow to the credibility of the alliance and the United States, says expert Robert E. Hunter.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that America's failure to knock out Ghadafi emboldens Iran and North Korea.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the African Union's cease-fire proposal in Libya.

France, Britain, and other NATO nations are now heading the Libya mission, but strains among members could be amplified if NATO tries to increase support for the rebels and the coalition still hasn't clarified its objectives, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.

Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft discusses developments in the Middle East and the intervention in Libya with CFR's Director of Studies James Lindsay. Drawing on lessons from the first and second Gulf Wars, Scowcroft warns of mission creep in coalition efforts in Libya.

With the United States now militarily engaged in Libya and U.S. allies seemingly at odds over goals, it is imperative that President Obama more clearly define the nation's objectives and the means to achieve them, says CFR's Robert Danin.

As the Libyan conflict escalates, CFR's Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies, Robert Danin, warns that the U.S. must have a clear objective to for the country and the region.

The NATO summit in Lisbon ended with a new Strategic Concept, greater cooperation with Russia, and an agreement on Afghanistan, but these successes will be impacted by domestic politics and economic constraints among all the NATO members, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.

At the NATO Summit in Lisbon on November 19, 2010, NATO leaders adopted its new Strategic Concept.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov writes of the warming relations between the NATO block and the Russian federation and highlights the importance of strengthening the Russia-NATO Council ahead of the November 20 Summit in Lisbon.

The French-Russian-German summit in Deauville this week sought to bring Russia closer to the West. Russia accepted an invitation to next month's NATO summit, but CFR's Charles Kupchan says Moscow questions the sincerity of Euro-Atlantic overtures.

The growth and strengthening of Afghanistan's domestic security forces is seen as key to an eventual U.S. exit, but some analysts caution that progress will remain slow.