Gridlock over raising the debt ceiling has already tarnished Washington’s image and failure to address the problem in one month could cause enormous global financial upheaval, writes CFR’s Sebastian …

The March 2-3 visit of Mexico’s president to Washington offers a chance at easing tensions over the cross-border drug trade, and far more than security issues are at stake, says CFR’s Shannon O’Neil…

The events in Iraq affect core U.S. interests, and Washington should be prepared to help both battle jihadist forces and press for political reforms over the long run, says CFR’s David Palkki.

The results of Ukraine’s presidential election, which will go to a runoff on February 7, show unhappiness with Viktor Yushchenko’s government, but are also a mark of Ukraine’s independence.