Barack Obama

The Team of Buddies

Is President Obama’s national security team too like-minded and conservative about the limits of American power?

BY JAMES TRAUB | JANUARY 31, 2013

The Egyptian Treadmill

Why Washington isn’t panicking about Egypt’s latest crisis.

BY MARC LYNCH | JANUARY 31, 2013

Atomic Bond

Does Hagel’s nomination mean Obama will cut the nuclear arsenal?

BY KINGSTON REIF | JANUARY 30, 2013

The Next Appointments

Obama is about to name a new international economic team. Will he use this opportunity wisely?

BY DAVID ROTHKOPF | JANUARY 29, 2013

The Silence in Delhi

The trial of India's vicious gang-rapists is under way, but don't think for a second the government is really committed to reform of women's rights.

BY MIRANDA KENNEDY | JANUARY 25, 2013

An Idea Whose Time Has Come

It's not just Obama -- the entire world is ready to get serious about climate change. 

BY AMY MYERS JAFFE, DANIEL SPERLING | JANUARY 24, 2013

Rainbow Coalition

A gay rights revolution is sweeping across the Americas. It's time for Washington to catch up.

BY J. LESTER FEDER | JANUARY 24, 2013

America's Saudi Problem

Obama can't get it right on the Arab Spring unless he holds Saudi Arabia to account.

BY MARC LYNCH | JANUARY 24, 2013

You Can't Change the Climate from Inside Washington

If Obama wants to make good on his inaugural promise, he’ll need to remember the lessons he learned as a community organizer.

BY THEDA SKOCPOL | JANUARY 24, 2013

Drones in Our Time

Why Obama was fibbing about America's wars coming to an end.

BY ROSA BROOKS | JANUARY 23, 2013

Obama's Moment of Truth on Iran

Congratulations, Mr. President. Now it's time to make good on your promise to engage Iran.

BY REZA MARASHI | JANUARY 22, 2013

101 Things People Want Obama to Do in Term 2

From the merely ambitious to the sublimely ridiculous, here's an exhaustive list of all the things people want Obama to do in his second term.

BY ELIZABETH F. RALPH | JANUARY 21, 2013

Unclenched Fists

When it comes to foreign policy, these are the six most significant inaugural addresses in U.S. history.

BY TY MCCORMICK | JANUARY 21, 2013

Over the Horizon

Five unlikely but extremely destabilizing global crises that Obama must prepare for now.

BY MARTIN INDYK | JANUARY 18, 2013

Second-Term Heat

What will be the legacy of Obama's next four years?

BY JAMES TRAUB | JANUARY 18, 2013

Obama's First Inaugural -- Revised

What if America's new president had told us what would really happen in his first four years?

BY DANIEL W. DREZNER | JANUARY 18, 2013

Exit, Minus Strategy

Barack Obama has clearly decided to cut his losses in Afghanistan. Will all hell break lose when he does?

BY JAMES TRAUB | JANUARY 11, 2013

Don't Engage Kim Jong Un -- Bankrupt Him

It's time to play hardball with North Korea's new leader.

BY JOSHUA STANTON, SUNG-YOON LEE | JANUARY 9, 2013

The 5 Most Important Questions About Afghanistan

Obama can't shirk the difficult issues when he meets with Karzai this week.

BY MICHAEL KUGELMAN | JANUARY 9, 2013

A 'Zero Option' for Afghanistan

Yes, President Karzai, we might pull out completely.

BY DAVID W. BARNO | JANUARY 7, 2013

Bench Press

It doesn't matter that Chuck Hagel is a Republican -- or even a defense expert.

BY LAWRENCE J. KORB | JANUARY 7, 2013

Geek Squad

How behavioral scientists could make Obama's second term a success.

BY RICHARD THALER | JANUARY 2, 2013

Getting Down to Business

The bad news is Washington hasn't seen the last of its bickering, dithering, and gridlock. The good news is Obama can change that in his first 100 days. 

BY MOHAMED A. EL-ERIAN | JANUARY 2, 2013

Don't Blame Obama for Syria

What's happening in Syria is a tragedy. But John Hannah needs to recognize that the civil war was never ours to win or lose.

BY AARON DAVID MILLER | DECEMBER 14, 2012

Hagel Unchained

Why do neocon Republicans hate Chuck Hagel so much? Because of what he would do as secretary of defense.

BY JACOB HEILBRUNN | DECEMBER 14, 2012

Secretaries of Safe

Obama’s likely national security picks are going to reinforce his innate caution -- for better and for worse.

BY JAMES TRAUB | DECEMBER 14, 2012

Obama Can’t Get No Respect

World leaders don't lose any sleep after snubbing the president. Here's why.

BY AARON DAVID MILLER | DECEMBER 4, 2012

Obama's Moment

How the president can seize back the initiative on foreign policy.

BY ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI | DECEMBER 3, 2012

Twice As Rice

Who said it: Condoleezza or Susan?

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

It's His Prerogative

Let Obama pick his secretary of state. Even if it's Susan Rice. 

BY DAVID ROTHKOPF | NOVEMBER 26, 2012