Stephen Sestanovich testifies before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee that, though the U.S. and Russia restored broadly cooperative ties after 2008, the relationship is marked by lingering frustration and even friction.

Judith A. McHale, undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs at the U.S. Department of State, discusses the importance of harnessing new technologies to increase the dialogue with more people in more places in order to improve U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

Judith A. McHale, undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs at the U.S. Department of State, discusses the importance of harnessing new technologies to increase the dialogue with more people in more places in order to improve U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

Judith A. McHale, undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs at the U.S. Department of State, discusses the importance of harnessing new technologies to increase the dialogue with more people in more places in order to improve U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

President Obama has embarked on a flurry of Mideast diplomacy amid mounting questions about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and U.S. policy in the region.

From March 19 to March 23, President Obama will make his first official visit to South America, stopping in Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. Latin American experts Julia Sweig and Shannon O'Neil discuss the Obama administration's goals for this visit and opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-South America relationship.

President Obama's Upcoming Trip to South America and Opportunities to Strengthen The U.S.-South America Relationship

Report (Draft)

Secretary of State Clinton's new call for vigorous U.S. leadership of global institutions to face modern challenges runs up against the rise of unpredictable emerging powers and Washington's shrinking stature, says CFR's Stewart Patrick.

Secretary Clinton discusses U.S. leadership and diplomatic efforts, as well as the global challenges of climate change, Middle East peace, conflict in Darfur, and the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Secretary Clinton discusses U.S. leadership and diplomatic efforts, as well as the global challenges of climate change, Middle East peace, conflict in Darfur, and the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Leslie H. Gelb comments on the Pentagon's response to recent criticism regarding the absence of top officials at the opening of a brain trauma center for soldiers.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faces a difficult task persuading Brazil to join tougher UN sanctions on Iran, amid a series of important regional meetings, says CFR's Julia Sweig.

Reports of Sunnis being banned from Iraq's March 7 elections are a reminder of the dangerous fault lines in Iraqi politics, which the United States can best influence with support rather than interference, says CFR's Brett McGurk.

Joseph S. Nye Jr. discusses the U.S. military base in Okinawa and the U.S. alliance with Japan.

Marifeli Perez-Stable discusses the leakage by El País of Obama's message to Raul Castro, warning that if the administration doesn't "break the tired two-step" of Cuban-American relations soon, it may be too late.

Farah Pandith, U.S. special representative to the world's Muslim communities, says the new position will aim to build constructive relationships with Muslims at all levels of society to counter extremism.

CFR's Steven A. Cook says it was significant that President Barack Obama was pressing for "permanent status negotiations" between Israel and Palestine and not another interim accord, but adds that "the conditions on the ground don't lend themselves to progress."