U.S. Foreign Policy

Let Them Eat Subsidies

The Obama administration could revolutionize aid and save billions -- if only Congress would stand up to the farm lobby.

BY JOHN NORRIS | MARCH 1, 2013

What Is Egypt?

As America's new secretary of state arrives in Cairo, it's still not clear the United States knows what it's dealing with.

BY STEVEN A. COOK | MARCH 1, 2013

Dead-End Road

Rogue states have a pretty convincing track record of ignoring sanctions, so what makes Congress and the White House think they'll work on Iran?

BY TY MCCORMICK | FEBRUARY 28, 2013

It’s Not an Intifada

Palestinians aren't ready to rise up -- yet.

BY JONATHAN SCHANZER | FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Welcome to the Middle East, Mr. Secretary

What John Kerry needs to know about his first assignment.

BY MARC LYNCH | FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Ending the Syrian War

It’s time for the United States to do what is necessary to bring down Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

BY SEN. ROBERT P. CASEY, JR. | FEBRUARY 27, 2013

While America Slept

How the United States botched China's rise.

BY KISHORE MAHBUBANI | FEBRUARY 27, 2013

The Fog of War Game

One-hundred sixty Stanford undergrads take on Iran.

BY AMY ZEGART | FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Tribes With Flags

How the Arab Spring has exposed the myth of Arab statehood.

BY AARON DAVID MILLER | FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Most. Dangerous. World. Ever.

The ridiculous hyperbole about government budget cuts.

BY MICAH ZENKO | FEBRUARY 26, 2013

The Russia Gambit

For the sake of Syrian lives, John Kerry’s got to play hardball with Moscow.

BY CHRISTOPHER S. CHIVVIS, EDWARD P. JOSEPH | FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Does John Kerry Matter?

Why Obama's new secretary of state might not have much room to run.

BY DAVID ROTHKOPF | FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Here’s Your Plan B

Arming the rebels isn’t the only way the United States can help Syria.

BY MARC LYNCH | FEBRUARY 22, 2013

You Don't Know Chuck

Who said it: Sen. Hagel or the Shin Bet?

FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Does Hollywood Have a Foreign Policy?

Tinseltown’s biggest films tend to be highly critical of American power, but also reinforce the idea that the rest of the world is a place best avoided.

BY JOSHUA E. KEATING | FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Handle with Care

Japan is Washington's most important Asian ally. But in some ways it's also the trickiest.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | FEBRUARY 21, 2013

The Signal and the Noise

Why subtlety and national security don't mix.

BY MICAH ZENKO | FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Iran Can’t Agree to a Damn Thing

Let's face it: The Islamic Republic is just too dysfunctional to cut a nuclear deal.

BY PATRICK CLAWSON | FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Why America Reserves the Right to Nuke You First

And why it shouldn't.

BY JOHN ARQUILLA | FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Marco Rubio Is Not Ready for Prime Time

If the Florida senator wants to save the Republican Party, he's got to come up with a foreign policy for the real world.

BY AARON DAVID MILLER | FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Sink or Swim

Why doesn't America train its diplomats?

BY NICHOLAS KRALEV | FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The Kingdom of No Surprises

The more things change in Saudi Arabia, the more they remain the same.

BY MICHAEL STEPHENS | FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The Terrible Twos

Can Washington prevent the turbulent Arab Spring countries from going the way of the post-Soviet states?

BY JAMES TRAUB | FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Refusal to Lead

In a dangerous and changing world, President Obama is just wishing away the problems America faces.

BY MARCO RUBIO | FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Shopping Option C for Syria

Arming the rebels is not a Goldilocks idea, it’s just wrong.

BY MARC LYNCH | FEBRUARY 14, 2013

What George W. Bush Did Right

The 43rd president of the United States did a great thing for humankind -- but most Americans have no idea.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | FEBRUARY 14, 2013

Hate Obama's Drone War?

Blame the bleeding-heart human rights crusaders.

BY ROSA BROOKS | FEBRUARY 14, 2013

The Case for TAFTA

Why Obama's call for a free trade agreement between the United States and Europe could be a game-changer.

BY KATI SUOMINEN | FEBRUARY 13, 2013

North Korea's Big Bang

Did Pyongyang just take a big step toward an arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles?

BY JEFFREY LEWIS | FEBRUARY 13, 2013

Laying Down the Law

Why Obama's targeted killing is better than Bush's torture.

BY DAVID COLE | FEBRUARY 12, 2013