The current nasty atmosphere between Russia and the United States goes beyond one or two disputed issues and will be difficult to improve. There have been regular spikes of tension in the U.S.-Russia relationship for the last fifteen years, and they will likely continue.
See more in Russian Fed., U.S. Strategy and Politics
After more than a decade of war and several years of a deep financial crisis, many Americans are asking whether the country should focus more of its attention—and more of its resources—at home. That said, the impulse to lead is still strong in both political parties and most polls show that Americans still feel both a moral and strategic imperative to remain fully engaged in the world.
See more in United States, Economics, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress, Congress and Foreign Policy
Moscow and Washington share a number of significant interests that require cooperation, despite heightened bilateral tensions over human rights issues, says former U.S ambassador Jack F. Matlock, Jr.
See more in Russian Fed., Diplomacy, U.S. Strategy and Politics
A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Investigations into the Boston Marathon explosions continue; King Abdullah II of Jordan visits the United States; and the ASEAN summit takes place in Brunei.
See more in U.S. Strategy and Politics
"Grand strategy" is defined as a coherent plan to use diplomatic, military, and economic instruments in certain ways to achieve national, overarching objectives. Grand strategies are usually identified by simple labels such as "containment," "détente," or "engagement and enlargement." In reality, international politics is complicated, and a democratic political system at home imposes constraints from public opinion, mobilized interest groups, and Congress.
See more in United States, Grand Strategy
Michael Spence outlines the conflicting objectives that President Obama and the U.S. Congress must reconcile as they negotiate a new federal budget.
See more in Economics, Capital Markets, Geoeconomics, Infrastructure, International Finance, Labor, Congress, Presidency
Russia today may have less influence in the Middle East than previously, but it continues to have a stake in the region's stability and sees it as an area in which it has important national interests, often at variance with U.S. goals and objectives.
See more in United States, Russian Fed., Middle East, Syria, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Foreign Policy History
Grounded in a realistic assessment of technology, Matthew C. Waxman and Kenneth Anderson outline a practical alternative with which to evaluate the use of autonomous weaponry that incorporates codes of conduct based on traditional legal and ethical principles governing weapons and warfare.
See more in United States, Defense/Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Defense Strategy, Intelligence, National Security and Defense, Wars and Warfare, Space, Technology and Foreign Policy, U.S. Strategy and Politics
A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Britain honors the late Margaret Thatcher; Venezuelans select the successor to Hugo Chavez; and the World Bank and IMF spring meetings begin in Washington.
See more in Botswana, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Rather than seeking regime overthrow in North Korea and Iran, Washington should pursue an updated version of Soviet-era containment policy, says expert Robert Litwak.
See more in North Korea, Iran, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Assistant Secretary Shapiro discusses the integration of diplomacy and defense in meeting national security challenges.
See more in United States, Foreign Policy History
The White House released the proposed FY 2014 U.S. government budget document on April 10, 2013. See also the House Budget Committee budget for FY 2014, presented by Congressman Ryan, and the Senate Budget Committee's proposal, presented by Senator Patty Murray.
See more in United States, Economics, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Linda Robinson writes that the upcoming anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death highlights the continued need for a "more comprehensive approach to special operations as part of U.S. national security policy."
See more in International Peace and Security, Counterterrorism, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Peter Orszag argues that switching to the chained consumer price index for calculating Social Security cost-of-living adjustments will not make as much of a difference as many seem to think.
See more in Economics, Geoeconomics, Society and Culture, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress, Organization of Government, Presidency
Twenty-eight representatives signed a letter on April 5, 2013, to President Obama, regarding the White House budget proposal's changes to the Food for Peace Program.
See more in Food Security, Foreign Aid
A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits South Korea, Japan and China; President Obama submits a budget to Congress; and the re-trial of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak begins in Cairo.
See more in U.S. Strategy and Politics
Secretary of State John Kerry is launching new Mideast shuttle diplomacy, but President Obama's commitment to brokering an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement remains to be seen, says expert Martin Indyk.
See more in Middle East, Grand Strategy
Micah Zenko examines the role of leadership in Washington's foreign policy discourse.
See more in United States, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress and Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy History
The UNSC is unlikely to be altered any time soon. Any resolution to expand the UNSC would need to garner the support of two-thirds of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), or 129 votes, as well as endorsement by the five permanent members to succeed.
See more in Global Governance, International Organizations, UN, International Peace and Security, U.S. Strategy and Politics
North Korea's ratcheting up of tensions requires South Korean and U.S. military forces in Korea to be prepared to defend against North Korean military incursions. Resumption of diplomacy will only be possible when North Korea signals it is ready to resume dialogue and all parties agree on an agenda that includes both tension-reduction and denuclearization.
See more in United States, North Korea, South Korea, Arms Control and Disarmament, Public Diplomacy
The campaign project examines the foreign policy dimensions of the presidential race, tracking candidates' positions and offering insight on the top issues.
The Renewing America project explores six major domestic challenges facing the United States that have significant consequences for national security and foreign policy.
Why have many Muslim states struggled to achieve democracy?
The Future of U.S. Special Operations Forces
Special operations play a critical role in how the United States confronts irregular threats, but to have long-term strategic impact, the author argues, numerous shortfalls must be addressed.
Reforming U.S. Drone Strike Policies
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
The Power Surge
A groundbreaking analysis of what the changes in American energy mean for the economy, national security, and the environment. More
Two Nations Indivisible
A roadmap for the United States' greatest overlooked foreign policy challenge of our time--relations with its southern neighbor. More
Why Growth Matters
Two experts argue that despite myriad development strategies, only one can succeed in alleviating poverty in India: the overall growth of the country's economy. More
