President Obama's plans for a consolidated trade and commerce department underscores his goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014, but some question how creating a larger organization will increase efficiency.

Peter Orszag discusses how increasing residential isolation of affluent voters contributes to the gridlock plaguing Washington.

In the Wall Street Journal, George P. Shultz writes that unaccountable White House aides are a product of a broken cabinet-nomination process, and this is not the form of government the Founders intended.

Experts discuss the potential that public private collaboration can have toward achieving the goals of U.S. foreign policy, private business, and civil society.

Experts discuss the potential that public private collaboration can have toward achieving the goals of U.S. foreign policy, private business, and civil society.

The United States may be the largest donor of foreign assistance in the world, but it ranks among the lowest in terms of quality and effectiveness of its aid, according to a report by the Center for Global Development (CGD), in cooperation with the Brookings Institution, that assesses more than 150 countries' foreign aid money.

Listen to Representative Nita Lowey, chair, subcommittee on state, foreign operations, and related programs, House committee on appropriations (D-NY), discuss her views on the U.S. national security apparatus and the balance between civilian and military resources.

Leslie Gelb spends a day with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as she goes through her "grueling and inspirational" regular duties.

Edward Alden writes that the Department of Homeland Security "has yet to become a whole that adds up to more than its parts," reviewing books by its first two secretaries, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff.

Report

The handoff of foreign policy responsibility from one U.S. presidential administration to another has proven risky in many cases. The next transition occurs at a time of extraordinary global challenges.

Charles A. Kupchan and Peter L. Trubowitz respond to Joseph M. Parent and Joseph Bafumi’s criticism of their article “Dead Center: The Demise of Liberal Internationalism in the United States”

Eevry chief-of-staff of the Air Force for the past quarter century was first a fighter jet pilot. Last week, however, there was a changing of the guard as Gen. Norton A. Schwartz took over the position. Max Boot discusses the implications of having a Chief that does not come from a fighter jet background and the effect this will have on the appropriation of the Air Force budget.

“Victory has a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan,” writes Max Boot as he analyzes the habit of U.S. generals passing the buck when it comes to the failures in Iraq.

Michael Gerson suggests that McCain should pay close attention to the British conservatives, as he may have a thing or two to learn from the reincarnation of “compassionate conservatism.”

Listen to experts discuss suggested measures the U.S. government could take to react to and function after a catostrophic event in the nation's capital.

Washington showing little appetite to reign the corrupt in, one well-financed lawyer is trying his best to shed light on these profiteers, and his target is none other than Cheney's KBR.

This special report from the United States Institute of Peace says that Iraq’s neighbors are playing a major role—both positive and negative—in the country’s worsening crisis, and reviews the interests and influence of the countries surrounding Iraq and the impact on U.S. bilateral relations.