All Foreign Policy
Does Iran have a 'right' to enrich? Answer is key to nuclear deal, and beyond.The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty does not explicitly cite a 'right' to enrich uranium, and how the US and other powers resolve this dispute has implications beyond Iran.
Potential Iran nuclear deal: what John Kerry faces in convincing CongressIf anything, Congress wants to ramp up sanctions against Iran, not soften them, asserting that only more economic hardship can persuade Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program.
World's 'most flagrant abusers' set to join UN Human Rights CouncilAmong the nations poised to join the UN Human Rights Council are Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, which have all stymied attempts by the council to look into their human-rights records.- Iran nuclear talks: Can the window stay open long enough for a deal?Iran and six world powers return to talks Thursday on the country's nuclear program. Despite word that Iran would be ready to put specifics on the table, that doesn鈥檛 appear to be the case now.
One trip, two crises: Can Kerry keep the lid on Mideast peace talks and Iran?John Kerry faces two formidable challenges in his visit to the Mideast: keep frustrated Palestinians committed to peace talks, and reassure Israel's Netanyahu that Obama isn't going soft on Iran.
Iraq鈥檚 Maliki brings wish list to Washington. Why are officials unmoved?Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meeting with President Obama Friday, is asking for equipment to help fight a growing insurgency. A half-dozen senators wrote an open letter outlining their concerns about Iraq.
NSA chief fires back: European spying reports 'completely false'The head of the NSA told Congress Tuesday that his agency is not collecting millions of phone records across Europe. Another official said the outrage over spying on German Chancellor Angel Merkel is overblown.
US spying scandal: Why Germany and France won't get Britain's dealGermany and France likely want a no-spying agreement with the US similar to the one Britain made after World War II, but US intelligence needs are far different today, experts say.
Why would US spy on friends? Because it can, and it makes sense, experts say.The scandal suggests US technological capabilities have outstripped prudent policy, but even friendly countries have divergent interests and 'it鈥檚 really a polite fiction' they don't spy on each other.
Merkel berates Obama on spying, joins parade of 'shocked' world leadersA new report suggests that the NSA has monitored the cellphone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It's not really the alleged spying that's surprising, but the scope of it.
Drones? What drones? Obama and Pakistan's Sharif to accentuate the positive.Obama hosts Nawaz Sharif Wednesday, and with the often-rocky US-Pakistani marriage now in kiss-and-make-up mode, the leaders are expected to emphasize issues that unite, rather than divide (drones).
Drone strikes: Rights groups berate US for not following its own rulesAmnesty International and Human Rights Watch say the US is not providing the transparency on drone strikes promised by President Obama last May and may even be guilty of war crimes.
Why Syria peace conference is a tough sell for Kerry: Assad wants to comeSecretary Kerry is traveling to London to boost support for a Syria peace conference. Rebels view Assad's intentions with suspicion, but the US hopes to find support among the many opposition groups.
Saudis reject Security Council seat: what led to the shocking snubSaudi Arabia was elected to a coveted seat on the Security Council, but the Saudis, dismayed by UN and US positions on Syria and Iran, turned it down. Some experts question the wisdom of the snub.
Are state dinners going the way of the dodo under Obama?Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff canceled a state visit intended for later this month. With that, the Obama White House will almost certainly hold no state dinner this year.
Iran nuclear talks set to start: fresh optimism tempered by rising pressureIranian President Hassan Rouhani was elected in June on a promise to change relations with the West. Diplomatic talks Tuesday about the Iran nuclear program will show how much has changed.
Obama cut to Egypt aid could further weaken US influence in MideastPresident Obama is expected to announce a cut in annual military aid to Egypt, citing what he sees as anti-democratic steps. The decision could alter a decades-old alliance.
Washington deadlock: Foreign reaction morphs from amusement to alarmAmerica鈥檚 image as a leader is taking hits around the world over the government shutdown, and now a looming first-ever default is adding real alarm over what it could mean for the global economy.
Commando raids: Africa's 'arc of instability' reorienting US terror mapWeak or failed states in northern Africa, described as an 'arc of instability' by US officials, are emerging as a new epicenter of terror activity, the weekend commando raids indicate.
Obama cancels Asia trip. Is the US 'pivot' in jeopardy?President Obama will not embark on a week-long trip to Asia, because of the fiscal crisis in Washington. Even before the cancellation, some analysts saw signs that commitment was waning to a US 'pivot to Asia.'
