When it comes to bucking party trends Barack Obama’s track record falls well short of John McCain’s, says Michael Gerson, calling into question Obama’s stance as a centrist candidate.  

Michael Gerson describes the miraculous political comeback of John McCain’s campaign, which, a year ago this summer, was nothing more than a “bankrupt political joke.”

Because the Bush administration has weakened America’s global position, it will leave its successor less freedom to embrace new foreign policy ideas, even some good ones, says Stephen Sestanovich

“Because Bill Clinton threw his body into the line, wrecking the Republican Party's intricate defenses, Obama today has the political room to run,” argues Peter Beinart.

President Bush’s recent denunciation of Barack Obama’s foreign policy was wrong, argue Charles Kupchan and Ray Takeyh. Instead, they defend the Senator’s policies as being “hard-headed realism,” pointing to the historical record as evidence that engaging international rivals is a proven method of resolving conflicts.

Leslie H. Gelb writes that “the reality of the 3 a.m. call, however, is both less dramatic and less telling than most Americans think.”

In February, Martin Indyk and Richard Haass engaged leading Gulf policymakers in detailed conversations about what they are looking for from a new American president. While all those with whom they spoke were fascinated by the American presidential primary elections and seem to be following the results closely, few have yet focused on the possibility that a significant change in U.S. foreign policy might result from a new administration in Washington. There was also a significant disconnect between leaders and publics: The leaders are focused on how the next administration will deal with complex regional security challenge posed by Iran, whereas the publics are hoping that a new president will resolve the Palestinian issue and press authoritarian governments to be more open, transparent and accountable.

Bruce Riedel traveled to India in February to meet with business leaders, government officials, and members of the media. Riedel notes that much of the conversations revolved around Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities and the Iran-India relationship. Some in the United States have strongly criticized India for maintaining strong economic relations with Iran and for having exchanges of low-level military delegations. Riedel notes that although India opposes a nuclear Iran, its ties with Iran will lead it to oppose use of a military option against Iran.

Daniel Byman traveled to Israel and Jordan in March -- a time of crisis in the Middle East. During Byman's trip, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets against the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon, an attack occurred in the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Israel took retaliatory measures in the Gaza Strip. In both Israel and Jordan, Byman found that the predominant mood was one of frustration and gloom. Israelis felt trapped between their sense that inaction would encourage more violence and their recognition that the military and political options looked unpromising. Jordanians fretted that the Israeli reaction to the violence would strengthen the radicals politically.

Bear Stearns certainly evokes the crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed it. Politicians are already making analogies to Herbert Hoover, the demon of that period, and Franklin Roosevelt, the angel. Amity Shlaes argues that while the 1930s do have plenty to tell us, the real challenge isn't deciding who resembles Hoover -- it is figuring out how to avoid a whole era of mistakes.

Listen to advisers to the 2008 U.S. presidential candidates discuss the foreign policy platforms of their respective candidates.

What will history make of 43?

Peter Beinart argues that “bitter primary contests don't necessarily hurt candidates in the general election.”

James M. Lindsay, an expert on U.S. politics and foreign policy, says President Bush will be regarded as “a below-average president” due to issues like Iraq and immigration reform.

CFR experts offer their analysis of President George W. Bush's final State of the Union address.

Michael Gerson explains what caused the unraveling of the Republican Party.