NATO has been the foundation of transatlantic security for more than sixty years, but despite its longevity, critics question whether the alliance can stay relevant in the face of emerging threats, limited funding, and debates over its mission.

The economy will likely be the most contested issue of the 2012 presidential campaign, with Republican candidates determined to demonstrate that President Obama's economic policies failed and that less government, not more, is needed to stimulate growth and create jobs.

Decades of economic and diplomatic sanctions have failed to substantively alter the actions of the Iranian regime, especially regarding its nuclear program. But experts say they remain an important tool to isolate and pressure Iran.

Since its founding in 1944, the World Bank has evolved from a lender focused on European reconstruction into the preeminent international institution for economic development and poverty reduction. This Backgrounder examines the Bank's history and role.

As the world's oldest regional body, the Organization of American States has served as a platform for cooperation, but ideological polarization among its members and criticisms of the organization's institutional weakness have raised doubts about its ability to remain relevant.

Most lawmakers agree corporate tax reform is an important step in improving U.S. global economic competitiveness, but a debate over rate levels and whether to tax foreign profits of multinationals remains unresolved.

A surge in pirate attacks off the Somali coast in recent years has prompted the deployment of an international coalition of navies. But experts say that military force alone cannot address the underlying issue of failed Somali governance.

Sectarian divisions have boosted al-Qaeda in Iraq, a longstanding threat to Iraqi stability. This Backgrounder profiles the group and discusses its growing role in the unrest in neighboring Syria.

Trade accounts for an increasing portion of the U.S. economy, and the Obama administration has embraced a ramped up export strategy. But debate persists over the merits of a vigorous free trade agenda.

Increasing domestic energy resources and the debate over subsidies and environmental regulations have emerged as central themes of the 2012 presidential campaign.

While the presidential candidates generally agree on supporting democracy and human rights in Arab states, they differ on the level of U.S. commitment to those goals.

Deterring Iran's nuclear weapons program is a foreign policy priority for the United States. Candidates for the 2012 presidential elections debate the best options, including a military strike.

Rail infrastructure is a critical component of a transportation network capable of helping the United States compete in global markets. Efforts to expand and modernize U.S. rail, particularly to include high-speed trains, are under debate as lawmakers weigh costs and benefits.

With the strategic focus of the U.S. military in flux and the Pentagon's budget under significant scrutiny, this CFR Issue Tracker looks at the 2012 presidential candidates' positions on defense.

The Six-Party Talks serve as a forum about North Korea's nuclear weapons program, but the negotiations have been riddled by Pyongyang's belligerence and the differing priorities of the participating nations.

Targeted killings have become a central component of U.S. counterterrorism operations around the globe. Despite pointed criticism over transparency and accountability issues, analysts say the controversial practice seems likely to expand in the future.

The economic climate and border security concerns have thrust the question of immigration reform into the spotlight in the 2012 presidential campaign.

U.S. presidential candidates mostly share a wary posture toward China, out of concern over trade imbalances and its regional assertiveness. Yet, many also consider China a potential partner.

The Obama administration's 2013 budget plan has revived debate over the sustainability of U.S. spending. This Backgrounder outlines the competing policy paths on fiscal reforms and the global consequences for failing to bring down U.S. debt.

As the decade-long war in Afghanistan finally winds down, presidential candidates continue to differ on timetables for U.S. troop withdrawal from the country.