Op-Eds

Published opinions and arguments by CFR fellows and experts.

The BoE Is Getting "Libored"

Authors: Benn Steil and Dinah Walker
Wall Street Journal Europe

Benn Steil's Wall Street Journal Europe op-ed, co-authored with Dinah Walker, argues that the Bank of England is getting "Libored"—that is, misled and manipulated—by the banks benefiting from its Funding for Lending Scheme. The Fed, which has shown interest in the scheme, should beware.

See more in United States, U.K., Capital Markets, Financial Crises, Geoeconomics, International Finance

A First Step With Iran

Author: Ray Takeyh
International Herald Tribune

In the nuclear dispute between Iran and the United States, a grand bargain is unlikely given the level of mistrust between the two parties. What's more realistic is a modest compromise that breaches the wall of mistrust and potentially sets the stage for further-reaching arms control measures, says Ray Takeyh.

See more in United States, Iran, Arms Control and Disarmament

Inauspicious Politics

Author: Julia E. Sweig
Folha de Sao Paulo

Julia E. Sweig says the recent "fiscal cliff" deal marks the end of the grand bargain, and "the new normal in Washington is one of hyper partisanship, in which the Republicans have learned that if they wait long enough the Democrats will soften at the end of negotiations."

See more in United States, Congress

What's At Stake for Afghan Women

Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
cnn.com

Women have made strides in Afghanistan since 2001, but huge issues still remain. While the United States focuses on withdrawal, Afghan women are still in the fight and will be long after 2014, says Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

See more in Afghanistan, Women

The False Promise of Energy Independence

Author: Michael A. Levi
New York Times

Michael A. Levi says, "The benefits of the oil and gas boom—jobs, wealth and, in the case of natural gas, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—offer plenty of reasons to continue to develop these resources judiciously. But we should beware of turning this potential blessing into an unintended curse."

See more in United States, Energy