President Obama and Vice President Biden made these remarks about reducing gun violence on January 16, 2013, before the signing of executive orders which strengthen the background check system, support mental health professionals report threats, and help schools hire more officers and develop emergency preparedness plans.

Edward Alden discusses a new assessment from the Government Accountability Office, which concludes that crossing U.S. borders illegally has become far more difficult than the American public realizes.

Max Boot argues that substantial withdrawals of American military personnel from Afghanistan ignore the reality of the situation.

Micah Zenko asks why we aren't asking Chuck Hagel about the stuff the secretary of defense actually does.

Richard N. Haass argues that many of the same issues that we faced in 2012 will continue to be problematic in 2013.

President Obama held this press conference at the White House on January 14, 2013, to discuss the debt ceiling.

Julia E. Sweig argues that Hugo Chavez never fulfilled his more ambitious plans for the region, but the polarizing Venezuelan leader can take at least partial credit for helping redefine South America's institutional architecture.

Joseph Biden, Barack Obama's "single most influential foreign policy adviser," is poised surpass Dick Cheney as the most powerful vice president in American history in the president's second term, writes David Rothkopf.

Since 2006, the Mexican government has been in embroiled in a bloody drug war, which has failed to significantly curb trafficking. This Backgrounder looks at Mexico's eradication efforts, along with U.S. policy options for one of its most important regional allies.

President Obama and President Karzai published this joint statement on January 11, 2013, which discusses the future of U.S.-Afghan relations.

In an interview with ABC News, Richard N. Haass answers eight questions about the "fiscal cliff," Israel, President Obama's recent cabinet nominations, among others.

Micah Zenko says the nomination of John Brennan to become the next CIA director can be crucial in scrutinizing the U.S. drone program.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon says that the war in Afghanistan, which has spanned a decade and cost more than 2,000 American lives, has now faded to one key, albeit short-sighted, question: How many U.S. troops will remain after 2014?

This chart book shows the growth in foreign ownership of U.S. assets over time.

Paul B. Stares, David F. Gordon, and Mark L. Schneider discuss conflicts that could break out or escalate in 2013.

Sebastian Mallaby argues that although it will not solve all U.S. economic woes, a manufacturing renaissance is both possible and desirable.

Edward Alden argues that, though more by accident than design, the Obama administration is now in the position to successfully conclude the most ambitious series of trade deals since the early 1990s.

Micah Zenko argues that it is time for President Obama to reform U.S. drone policy.

Greg Miller and Scott Wilson discuss how President Obama's nominations of Chuck Hagel and John Brennan signal a shift in the administration's national security policies as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan draw to a close.

In a review of Stanley McChrystal's My Share of the Task, Max Boot says throughout McChrystal's career, the general was unshakably dedicated to his soldiers, to his wife, and, above all, to the Army and nation.