Essential Documents

Vital primary sources underpinning the foreign policy debate.

Joint Statement on U.S.-EU Negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, February 2013

President Barack Obama, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso gave this joint statement on February 13, 2013. It announced the launch of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, at the recommendation of a report from the U.S.-EU High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth.

See more in United States, EU, Trade

Senate Testimonies of Secretary of Defense Panetta and Joint Chief of Staff General Dempsey on the Attack of U.S. Facilities in Benghazi, February 2013

Author: General Martin E. Dempsey, USA

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Joint Chief of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 7, 2013, about the September attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya and the response of the Defense Department. Panetta's and Dempsey's prepared remarks and video of the hearing are available on the Committee's website.

See more in Libya, Preparedness, Terrorist Attacks

CBO Report: The Budget and Economic Outlook, Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its yearly Budget and Economic Outlook report on "'baseline' budget projections spanning the next 10 years. Those projections are not a forecast of future events; rather, they are intended to provide a benchmark against which potential policy changes can be measured." The report covers 2013-2023.

See more in United States, Economics

Vice President Biden's Remarks at the Munich Security Conference, February 2013

Vice President Joe Biden presented these remarks at the Munich Security Conference on February 2, 2013. He discussed developments in American foreign policy and international security over the last four years, regarding Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear program, the global financial crisis, counterterrorism, and the relationship between the United States and Russia.

See more in Europe/Russia, International Peace and Security