Despite the administration’s much-publicized Asia "pivot," the spreading impact of the Syria conflict and negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear program will continue to top the foreign policy docket, …

President Obama’s cancelled state visit to Moscow next month is another indication that the so-called U.S.-Russia reset has derailed, says CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich.

The surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has given rise to speculations that the next pontiff to lead the Catholic Church will hail from the developing world, says expert James P. McCartin.

Iran’s reluctance to negotiate over its controversial nuclear program makes a deal with international powers unlikely, says CFR’s Carla Robbins.

The passage of a new trade bill that takes aim at Russia’s human rights record could complicate the Obama administration’s efforts to improve U.S-Russian relations, says CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich.