This CFR Issue Guide provides resources and analysis on President Obama's inauguration and the foreign policy challenges facing his second administration.

The crisis of democracy identified in the 1970s never really went away; it was just papered over with temporary solutions and obscured by a series of lucky breaks.

In the aftermath of the 2012 U.S. elections, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei comments on and compares the political systems in the U.S. and China.

Peter Orszag explains that privatization would allow the U.S. Postal Service to free itself from congressional shackles and manage its operations more efficiently.

In the first installment of the Renewing America Progress Report and Scorecards, "Road to Nowhere: Federal Transportation Infrastructure Policy" provides a critical assessment of federal transportation policy, including background on major policy initiatives and analysis of what's needed to start moving forward.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

Lt. Col. Paul Yingling writes in the Armed Forces Journal that the current difficulties in the Iraq war are largely caused by a crisis in American's general officer corps.

Former House Speaker and prospective presidential candidate Newt Gingrich urges a more bipartisan approach to solving problems from Iraq to homeland security and hints he may enter the race late this year.

At this Council event, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich discusses why he thinks the United States needs to make sweeping institutional and strategic reforms in order to meet developing challenges to its economy and national security. 

Steven M. Kosiak, director of budget studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, discusses the Bush administration's proposed FY07 homeland security budget.