Though Americans fear a decline in the country's global influence, Stephen M. Walt argues that this may be an unnecessary fear.

Randall Stross follows one of the summer 2011 start-ups considered by Y Combinator for the summer 2011 batch of investments from tryout to "Demo Day," to see what it takes.

The national survey on Foreign Policy Matters in 2012 discusses the views of the American public on the United States and its role in foreign policy.

If a solution to the looming fiscal cliff in the U.S. continues to be stymied by partisanship, another dip back into recession is inevitable.

A clean revolution could enhance U.S. energy security and create a stronger economy, yet arguments for it are unlikely to find their way into the presidential campaign, argues John Elkington.

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has asserted that Russia is America's "No. 1 geopolitical foe;" a claim that has been heavily criticized, but may still be true.

Syria's civil war, at its core a sectarian conflict, is viewed through the eyes of a fearful Alawite minority.

Reuters details the negotiations that led from ECB President Mario Draghi's late-July speech to his recent announcement that the ECB stood ready to buy "unlimited" amounts of bonds by the most troubled euro members.

The dissolution of the euro zone is inevitable according to British economist Roger Bootle. Hastening its split, rather than forestalling it, is the most prudent way of resolving the crisis.

The counterinsurgency in Syria yielded a destructive power that terrorized and forced Syria's propertied class into submission.

The Israeli prime minister denies interfering in the US election, but his relationship with Barack Obama grows more antagonistic.

Libya is experiencing a transition away from its earlier state into a region that has changed in its political and religious landscape.

A coalition is fighting against the wind power industry that includes tea party followers, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, and electrical utilities associated with President Barack Obama, and creating an intense and unpredictable lobbying fight.

President Barack Obama and Republic presidential nominee Mitt Romney will be facing off on several issues during this election; but perhaps the greatest attention will fall to the question of cleaning up the U.S. budget mess.

The U.S. defense budget has grown to inordinate levels, and the American public isn't happy about it. Scott Rasmussen sets out proposals on how to create a leaner military spending strategy that is more efficient and satisfies the desires of the voters.

President Obama's economic stimulus in the wake of the recession was primarily focused on short-term alleviation, with little thought put into reform for long-term fiscal health

The disconnect that exists in the United States between higher tax rates and higher tax revenues is not unique, and was not always simply a partisan or ideological point of debate.

The Haqqani network, a semi-autonomous arm of the Taliban, is one of the deadliest factions of the latter group; and the most financially diverse and sophisticated as well.

Beijing's increasing diplomatic and commercial presence in Africa has led to a grassroots backlash across the country from its native residents.

Recovery among regional economies in the United States has yet to shift into high gear; the largest risk for the U.S. job market currently comes from Europe, as concern over global growth has pushed past oil prices as a major risk factor.