The president's speech combined lofty idealism and pragmatic realism at the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Wednesday, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.
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The newly elected moderate Iranian president may lead the United States to loosen economic sanctions on the country, according to Carla Robbins.
See more in Iran, Economics, Sanctions, U.S. Strategy and Politics
The G8 leaders met in the U.K. during June 17–18, 2013, for their thirty-nineth summit. They released a joint communique, the Lough Erne Declaration on private enterprise responsibilities, and signed the Open Data Charter, which covers the regular publication of government data from a variety of departments.
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A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: Presidential elections are held in Iran; the G8 convenes in Northern Ireland; and President Obama goes to Berlin.
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Chinese officials see stability on the Korean peninsula under the Korean Armistice as a component that has enabled China's growth for over three decades. Despite a growing difference between the economic systems of China and North Korea, China's communist party leadership feels an affinity with North Korea because its government, like China's, pursues one-party leadership under a socialist banner.
See more in Asia, China, North Korea, Foreign Aid, Foreign Policy History
There is no evidence that signature strikes will be reduced or ended based upon anything the Obama administration has recently stated.
See more in United States, Defense Strategy, Defense Technology, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Foreign Policy History
Ray Takeyh debunks the myth that the CIA was responsible for Mossadeq's demise and the 1953 Iranian coup.
See more in Iran, Intelligence, Foreign Policy History
The Guardian obtained a secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court order requiring Verizon to give the National Security Agency "information on all telephone calls in its systems, both within the U.S. and between the U.S. and other countries" on an "ongoing, daily basis" from April 25 through July 19, 2013.
See more in United States, Defense/Homeland Security, Intelligence, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released a statement to address the recent "unauthorized disclosure" of a U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court order. The document requires Verizon to provide the National Security Agency with detailed telephone call records of millions of U.S.-based customers on a daily basis. In response, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has declassified selected details related to the "business records" provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
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A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org: U.S. president Barack Obama hosts Chinese president Xi Jinping in California and Peru's president Ollanta Humala in Washington; and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testifies before the House budget committee.
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Leslie H. Gelb reflects on Tom Donilon's tenure as National Security Adviser, in light of Susan Rice's recent appointment as his replacement.
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According to Micah Zenko, "We are deluding ourselves if we believe that we need more time to "think through" U.S. military intervention options for Syria. We have an excellent understanding of what those options are, and a vast majority of officials, policymakers, and the American people do not believe they are worth the effort."
See more in United States, Syria, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress and Foreign Policy, Foreign Aid, Foreign Policy History
The United States has long struggled with how to manage Iran's nuclear ambitions. Any U.S. military option in Iran is likely to be dynamic, depending on its objectives.
See more in United States, Iran, Wars and Warfare, Arms Control and Disarmament, U.S. Strategy and Politics
U.S. policymaking on human rights issues is sometimes hindered by poor relations between State and Capitol Hill. Fortunately, there are ways to improve cooperation.
See more in Human Rights, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress
Elizabeth Economy identifies addressing the trust deficit as the top priority for this week's summit between President Obama and President Xi.
See more in United States, China, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Foreign Policy History
The foreign policy of China's newly-installed president, Xi Jinping, is in its infancy, but one variable that has already generated much discussion is the role that Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan might play in shaping China's image abroad.
See more in China, Gender Issues, Foreign Policy History
"The United States is more entangled in the global energy system than it has ever been," argues Michael Levi, "and ever-rising world demand for energy will remain at the root of transformations in American energy for years to come."
See more in United States, Energy/Environment, Energy, Energy Security, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Despite its strategic "rebalancing" toward Asia, the United States is unlikely to sponsor a collective defense organization for the Asia-Pacific, for at least three reasons: insufficient solidarity among diverse regional partners, fear of alienating China, and the perceived advantages of bilateral and ad-hoc security arrangements.
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Gayle Lemmon examines the current course of U.S. action in Syria.
See more in United States, Syria, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Congress and Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy History
Benn Steil's article in the June 2013 edition of History Today takes a critical look at John Maynard Keynes's performance as a diplomat during World War II, concluding that Britain had made a mistake sending him to Washington. His temperament and overinvestment in his personal legacy resulted in Britain paying a high political and economic price for American financial assistance.
See more in Economics, Business and Foreign Policy, Geoeconomics, U.S. Strategy and Politics
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.
How can the United States help support peace in Macedonia and the Balkans?
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
