U.S. and Iranian diplomats met for the first time since 1980 to discuss Iraq, but the two sides appear as divided as ever on an array of issues.

Anthony H. Cordesman, a well-known expert on Middle East political and military affairs, says the announced ambassadorial-level talks between Iran and the United States on Iraq security “may lay the groundwork for much better understanding and at least more official negotiations” between the two sides.

Carla A. Hills, co-chair of the CFR Task Force on U.S.-China relations, discusses the group’s recommendation for greater diplomatic engagement.

The U.S. decision to challenge China in WTO court could represent a fundamental shift in Sino-American diplomacy.

U.S.-funded broadcasters are competing in a wide-open global environment, but some experts wonder about the message generated by these outlets.

CFR’s Steven A. Cook says the decision to speak with Iran and Syria on Iraq, marks “a positive change in policy.”

The White House says it will meet Iran and Syria at a regional conference on improving Iraqi security.

Former Bush administration official Robert Zoellick says China could help break the impasse on Iran.

“Washington’s reaction to [Evo] Morales’ election, policies, and rhetoric has been to ‘wait and see,’” says a new Council Special Report. “Yet after nearly nine months in office, the Morales administration’s policy agenda has taken shape and, unfortunately, has exacerbated political, ethnic, and racial schisms in Bolivian society.”

This report encourages the U.S. government to redirect its policy toward Bolivia from "wait and see" to one with an emphasis on conflict prevention and preserving the democratic process in order to address the nation's many challenges. This report is also available in Spanish.

Richard N. Haass states, "... the American era in the Middle East is over."

The retiring chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), says Washington needs to be tough on reforming the United Nations. He also urges the new Democratic majority in Congress to embrace a more bipartisan foreign policy.

David Ignatius of the Washington Post writes that a newly confident Iran would require the United States to acknowledge Tehran's growing influence before agreeing to help stabilize Iraq.

This report released by The Century Foundation argues that the United States must strike a "grand bargain" with Tehran before the Iranian nuclear issue can be resolved.