North America

A Loss We Can Live With

The endgame in Afghanistan isn’t 2013 or 2014; it’s already happened. The only thing now is to make sure that the retreat is not a total disaster for those we leave behind.

BY JAMES TRAUB | FEBRUARY 10, 2012

We're All State Capitalists Now

The debate about whether America or China will ultimately triumph is a red herring that distracts us from the real contest of our time.

BY NIALL FERGUSON | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

There Will Not Be Blood

Across the world, crime is down -- and in a big way. Are violent movies to thank for less real blood and gore?

BY CHARLES KENNY | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Keystone Kops

Environmentalists picked the wrong battle in opposing the Keystone XL project.

BY AMY MYERS JAFFE | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The Coming Civil War in Afghanistan

It's not inevitable, but it's more likely than ever before. Here's how to avoid the worst.

BY ARIF RAFIQ | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The World in Photos this Week

Soccer riots in Egypt, Merkel heads to China, and an anniversary in Tehran.

FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Is Putin's Fake Rival the Real Deal?

Everyone thought billionaire playboy Mikhail Prokhorov was just a patsy for Vladimir Putin to run against and crush. But what if he wins?

BY SIMON SHUSTER | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Premature Evacuation?

Why cutting and running in Afghanistan is good politics for Obama.

BY MICHAEL A. COHEN | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Finish Him

Without international intervention, there's a good chance that Syria's dictator, Bashar al-Assad, could still rule for years.

BY DANIEL BYMAN | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

The Bin Laden Bounce

Does killing bad guys really help at the ballot box?

BY SCOTT CLEMENT | FEBRUARY 1, 2012

The Debate the GOP Didn't Have in Florida

Instead of repeating tired applause lines about Fidel Castro, here are the vital Latin American issues the Republican candidates should be talking about.

BY MICHAEL SHIFTER | JANUARY 30, 2012

Mexican Standoff

Republicans have a historic chance to win the Hispanic vote. They're shooting themselves in the foot.

BY MICHAEL A. COHEN | JANUARY 27, 2012

The World in Photos This Week

The Chinese New Year, the anniversary of the Arab Spring, and Angela Merkel's golden goose.

JANUARY 27, 2012

Fly Me to the Moon

The Republican establishment would probably prefer that Newt Gingrich spend less time talking about lunar mining and space hotels. But the former House speaker may be the only true free-marketer in outer space. 

BY CHARLES HOMANS | JANUARY 25, 2012

Good Old America

Obama thinks America can be as great as it once was. Oh, and Osama bin Laden is dead.

BY DAVID ROTHKOPF | JANUARY 25, 2012

The Land of Plenty

Obama's State of the Union address highlighted good news for U.S. oil production. But is America really on the path to energy independence?

BY STEVE LEVINE | JANUARY 25, 2012

Bringing Jobs Back Home

The president has finally realized that an "economy built to last" must have a robust manufacturing base.

BY CLYDE PRESTOWITZ | JANUARY 25, 2012

The 'Lump of Labor' Fallacy

Last night, the president embraced a strong skepticism of trade -- to the country's detriment.

BY PHIL LEVY | JANUARY 25, 2012

Fine Words

Sure, Obama talks the talk. But now what?

BY DOV S. ZAKHEIM | JANUARY 25, 2012

Home Front

The presidency will be won or lost on the strength of the economy, but some surprising international issues may mix things up.

BY SCOTT CLEMENT | JANUARY 25, 2012

The End of the Win-Win World

Why China’s rise really is bad for America -- and other dark forces at work.

BY GIDEON RACHMAN | JANUARY 24, 2012

House of 19,000 Corporations

The uproar over Mitt Romney's finances shines a light on the world's most unlikely financial capital.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | JANUARY 24, 2012

Grading Obama's Foreign Policy

Nine experts rate the president’s performance so far.

JANUARY 23, 2012

Obama Needs a Grand Strategy

The president gives a good speech, and sure, he got Osama bin Laden, but do his foreign policies add up to anything?

BY ROSA BROOKS | JANUARY 23, 2012

The Military-Political Complex

Why is Barack Obama standing to the right of conservatives when it comes to cutting the defense budget?

BY JAMES TRAUB | JANUARY 20, 2012

Enough Already

It's time to talk to the Taliban.

BY STEPHEN HADLEY AND JOHN PODESTA | JANUARY 18, 2012

The Top 10 Trends in Global Freedom

One might expect, given last year's headlines across the Middle East -- as well as promising political developments in authoritarian countries from Myanmar to Cuba -- that 2011 was a banner year for freedom. The reality is more complicated.

BY ARCH PUDDINGTON | JANUARY 18, 2012

Radioactive Politics

Why President Obama might be in serious trouble when it comes to his handling of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

BY SCOTT CLEMENT | JANUARY 18, 2012

Threats and Promises

Do Obama’s red-lines with Iran and others really mean “or else”?

BY JAMES TRAUB | JANUARY 13, 2012

¿El Presidente?

Mitt Romney could be the first Latino president. So why is he blowing it?

BY LARRY KAPLOW | JANUARY 11, 2012