All Foreign Policy
President Obama wins broad UN backing on resolution to curb foreign fightersPresident Obama presides over Security Council session that unanimously adopted a binding resolution that aims to 'degrade and destroy' terrorist access to funding and shut down the Islamic State's 'network of death.'
Obama's call to action at UN: Join us in fight against 'evil' Islamic StateSaying that 'the future of our civilization depends on us coming together' to fight Islamist extremists, Mr. Obama told the United Nations General Assembly that military action was necessary because 'the language of force' is the only one they understand.
US-Iran relations not as bitter at UN 鈥� and some are wringing their handsSome US lawmakers worry that the Obama administration will be lulled by a more reasonable-sounding Iran to accept a nuclear deal that leaves Tehran on the verge of nuclear weapons capability.
Why the US-Syria coalition doesn't look that impressivePresident Obama says that the participation of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar in the Syria strikes 'makes it clear to the world that this is not America鈥檚 fight alone,' but the depth of their involvement is not clear.
Why the UN Climate Summit will have a hard time doing anythingPresident Obama will address the UN Climate Summit, and more than 120 world leaders are expected to attend. But big emitters China and India will not be represented by their top leaders.
How a Nigerian school girl escaped Boko Haram: Is Washington still concerned?Saa, who uses a pseudonym to protect her 海角大神 family back in Nigeria, leaped from her captors' truck and ran through a deep forest to safety. There's now speculation that the remaining girls may be being used as suicide bombers.聽
Slick video with hostage John Cantlie shows Islamic State is upping its gameIn the Islamic State video, British journalist John Cantlie explains what he says is the 'truth' about the Islamic State. The video appears to target the war-weary populations of the West, the US and Britain in particular.
Why Ukraine's plight has yet to set off alarms at the White HouseUkrainian President Poroshenko's call for more military and economic aid has won strong backers in Congress, including among Democrats, but President Obama has been wary of offering lethal military aid.聽
Ebola crisis: why Obama is involving the USPresident Obama is deploying 3,000 military personnel to West Africa to help tackle the Ebola outbreak 鈥� and it鈥檚 not only a matter of humanitarian duty and reaching hearts and minds.
Hidden partners? How much Russia, Iran could help US against Islamic State.More than three dozen nations have signed on to the anti-Islamic State coalition, US officials say. But Russia and Iran are also likely to play roles, and some Arab countries will prefer to keep quiet about their help.
Islamic State 101: Why are Arab countries so reluctant to help?Secretary of State John Kerry just ended a whirlwind tour of the Middle East to raise support for US-led military action against the Islamic State. The response was less than enthusiastic.- Why sanctions on Russia could complicate Obama鈥檚 anti-Islamic State effortsThe ramped-up US sanctions come less than two weeks before President Obama is set to hold a UN Security Council summit on the issue of foreign fighters who aid international security threats like the Islamic State.
With Islamic State speech, Obama deepens US involvement in Middle EastPresident Obama strove to differentiate this new battle with terrorists 鈥榰nique in their brutality鈥� from the wars he inherited, in particular the war in Iraq. His intervention rationale placed a priority on humanitarian reasons.
Why Obama is seeking a Sunni coalition to defeat the Islamic StateWith Obama set to lay out his plan to defeat Islamic State militants, Secretary Kerry is recruiting Sunni Arab nations to the cause. The US hopes to avoid the impression it's in a fight with Sunni Islam.聽
NATO summit: Pugnacious Putin provides new purpose for allianceBy invading a neighboring country, Putin has reminded Europe and the Atlantic Alliance that NATO's original purpose 鈥� underpinning security and stability in Europe 鈥� is still necessary.
Obama's global plan to target Islamic State foreign fightersAt the annual September opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Obama will call a Security Council 'summit' to address the flow of foreign fighters to groups like the Islamic State.
Did Obama just turn up the heat on the Islamic State?The beheading of American Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State has provoked a more forceful reaction from President Obama and a clearer statement of his objectives.
Kerry looks for regional coalition to take on the Islamic StateSecretary of State John Kerry faces a tough job crafting a regional coalition to confront the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria. For one thing, potential coalition partners don't necessarily trust each other聽鈥� or the US.
Russia advances into Ukraine, West wonders what to do nowInstead of pulling back from the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia appears to be escalating its involvement. More sanctions seem unlikely to bend Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Another 'red line'? Obama again considers airstrikes in SyriaAs US officials work up plans to strike at the base of the Islamic State in Syria, the reluctant interventionist in the White House seems more likely to approve military action.
