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November 23, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Les Gelb finds "disturbing amateurishness" in President Obama's foreign policy, particularly in light of his recent trip to Asia.
See more in Asia, Diplomacy, U.S. Strategy and Politics
November 9, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie Gelb writes that the U.S. military's request to increase troops in Afghanistan by 44,000 ought to be closely scrutinized. He adds that, on this issue, "the military got a free ride from America’s pretend leaders and fake journalists."
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, Conflict Assessment
November 2009
Other Report
Israel would regard any expansion of nuclear weapons capability within its region as an intolerable threat to its survival, and as such regards Iran’s developing nuclear program with concern, in turn causing speculation that the Israeli government may choose to attack Iran’s nuclear installations. This Center for Preventive Action Contingency Planning Memorandum assesses the likelihood of an Israeli strike on Iran, the policy options available to diminish that likelihood, the implications should it take place, and measures that can be taken to mitigate the consequences should it occur.
See more in Iran, Israel, Wars and Warfare
November 2, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Les Gelb points to stalled U.S. efforts in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and others as evidence that "Barack Obama has arrived at a terrible moment of truth in foreign policy."
See more in Afghanistan, Middle East, Conflict Assessment, Presidency
October 30, 2009
Op-Ed
Christian Science Monitor
Micah Zenko writes that although many are growing impatient waiting for President Obama to launch an Afghanistan strategy, it is prudent to let the deliberations play out so that he can get the strategy right.
See more in Afghanistan, U.S. Strategy and Politics
October 25, 2009
Article
Parade
Leslie Gelb spends a day with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as she goes through her "grueling and inspirational" regular duties.
See more in Diplomacy, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Organization of Government
October 25, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie H. Gelb warns President Obama against trying to "square the foreign policy and international security realities [in Afghanistan] with political imperatives [at home]."
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
October 16, 2009
Op-Ed
Los Angeles Times
Kim Jong Il is still in comlpete control of North Korea, writes Paul Stares, making U.S. goals in that state harder to achieve than ever.
See more in North Korea, Diplomacy, Arms Control and Disarmament
October 2009
Council Special Report No. 48
Council Special Report
The United States can ill afford the burden of additional foreign policy challenges, making it imperative that the U.S. government find ways to identify, delay, and avert international crises that could harm U.S. interests or even lead to military engagement. In this report, the authors provide an actionable road map for how the U.S. government should revamp its existing U.S. prevention architecture to make it more effective in dealing with potential crises abroad.
See more in United States, Conflict Prevention
October 6, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
With debate raging on whether to increase troops in Afghanistan, Leslie H. Gelb writes that the United States can succeed there by empowering Afghans to take control of their own country.
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, Conflict Assessment
October 1, 2009
Op-Ed
Time Magazine
Peter Bergen and Leslie H. Gelb present two policy options for troop presence in Afghanistan.
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, Conflict Assessment
September 27, 2009
Op-Ed
Forbes Online
Leslie H. Gelb comments on the passing of New York Times columnist, Bill Safire, "the best friend and the worst enemy to friends and foes."
See more in Society and Culture, Media and Foreign Policy
September 22, 2009
Op-Ed
Wall Street Journal
Leslie H. Gelb lays out directions for a new strategy in Afghanistan, claiming that the Obama administration's current one is confusing to the American people, Congress and the U.S. military.
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
September 11, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie H. Gelb argues, "From Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal to the looming civil war in Iraq, the president will likely face a major global crisis before the year's end."
See more in National Security and Defense, International Peace and Security, U.S. Strategy and Politics
September 9, 2009
Academic Module
This module features teaching notes by CFR Senior Fellow and Director of CFR's Center for Preventative Action Paul B. Stares, coauthor of Preparing for Sudden Change in North Korea, along with other resources to supplement the text. This Council Special Report addresses the foreign policy challenge of how the United States and its allies can prepare for the possibility of sudden and destabilizing change in North Korea.
See more in North Korea, International Peace and Security
August 30, 2009
Op-Ed
Los Angeles Times
Micah Zenko makes the case, "Unless Tehran responds by late September to international proposals on its nuclear program, history strongly suggests the Israelis will act alone."
See more in Iran, Israel, Proliferation, Weapons of Mass Destruction
August 23, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie H. Gelb comments on the elections in Afghanistan.
See more in Afghanistan, U.S. Strategy and Politics
August 17, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie H. Gelb comments, "The president's decision to send Georgian troops to Afghanistan will infuriate Moscow -- and reveals his lack of appreciation for exactly what it takes to accomplish big priorities."
See more in Afghanistan, Russian Fed., U.S. Strategy and Politics
August 2009
Article
Journal of Strategic Studies
Micah Zenko discusses President Bush's deferred attack on Khurmal, Iraq, before the 2003 war.
See more in Iraq, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
August 6, 2009
Op-Ed
The Daily Beast
Leslie H. Gelb asks, "'What's Obama's exit strategy' in Afghanistan?"
See more in Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
This CSR, authored by Steven Pifer and sponsored by the Center for Preventive Action, comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West.
This report, coauthored by Paul Stares and Joel Wit and sponsored by the Center for Preventive Action, examines the possible outcomes the United States must consider should the situation in North Korea deteriorate and the current North Korean government collapse.
For more information on the CPA, contact:
Paul Stares
General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention
and Director, Center for Preventive Action
+1.202.509.8461
pstares@cfr.org
Micah Zenko
Fellow for Conflict Prevention
+1.212.434.9845
mzenko@cfr.org
Elise Vaughan
Research Associate
+1.202.509.8463
evaughan@cfr.org
Stephen Wittels
Research Associate
+1.202.509.8524
swittels@cfr.org
Rebecca Friedman
Research Associate
+1.212.434.9744
rfriedman@cfr.org
Copyright 2009 by the Council on Foreign Relations. All Rights Reserved.