The pope’s encyclical on the environment carries a profoundly religious message about care for the earth, wedded to a new call for activism, say religious scholars Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim.

President Obama’s counterterrorism speech made strides toward greater transparency but missed opportunities to articulate a vision for moving beyond a perpetual war footing, says CFR’s John Bellinger…

The crisis in Crimea may represent something more than just another low point in Moscow’s relations with the United States and its allies, says Russia expert John R. Beyrle.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte says China is largely “in sync” with the United States on preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.

Ukraine’s May 25 elections will likely proceed amid attempted disruptions by separatists in the east and U.S. officials should be prepared to bolster support for the government, says former ambassado…