All Foreign Policy
John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional styleSecretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
Obama chooses John Kerry for secretary of State. How might he do?President Obama is expected on Friday to name Sen. John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He'd come with his own pet issues 鈥� as well as a reputation as a patient negotiator.
Stinging Benghazi report leads to three resignationsAn independent panel faults two State Department offices for the security shortcomings that contributed to the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11.
For newly recognized Syrian rebel coalition, a first dispute with USIn Morocco, the 'Friends of Syria' recognized the new rebel coalition. But the day was marred by reports of Scud fire by the Assad regime and by a dispute with the US over designating a group as terrorist.聽- In human rights spat, Russia poised to target US adoptive parentsAfter the US Congress approved a bill to punish Russian officials involved in human rights abuses, Moscow is set to blacklist Americans accused of violating Russians' rights 鈥� including US parents accused of abusing adoptive children from Russia.
US draws line in Syria: aligns with moderate rebels, labels others terroristsOn the verge of formally recognizing a rebel coalition as representing the Syrian people, the US designated the al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organization that is an arm of Al Qaeda in Iraq.
FocusWhich world hot spots will clamor for Obama's attention in second term?Obama is unequivocal about his intent to refocus on US domestic issues during his second term. But the world is not likely to cooperate. Here are seven foreign-policy challenges already bearing down on him.
Bill Clinton: US ambassador to Ireland? Rumors catch fire.Bill Clinton loves Ireland, and Ireland loves him, but fresh Beltway rumors are suggesting that he might even like to be the US ambassador to the Emerald Isle. Is Dublin big enough for Bill?
Syria chemical weapons scare: Is Assad threatening to use them, or lose them?A report suggests that Syria has ramped up activity at chemical-weapons sites. But President Bashar al-Assad might simply be sending a message to the international community.
Palestinians win upgrade to 'state ' at UN. What does that change?The UN General Assembly's 138-to-9 vote officially put 'Palestine' together with 'state' for the first time. But it appeared to offer little practical change. Even Palestinians called it part of a 'process.'
Palestinians push for elevated UN status: Did Gaza conflict help?Some nations are warming to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's bid for enhanced UN status. After the Gaza conflict, they see the moderate Abbas as a counterweight to Hamas.
Susan Rice: why GOP opposition to her is no longer white-hotKey GOP voices including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have tempered their rhetoric about Ambassador Susan Rice, who could be nominated as a possible secretary of State.
Gaza cease-fire: Clinton role shows US still dominant in tough neighborhoodAfter two days of shuttle diplomacy, Hillary Clinton and Egypt's foreign minister announced a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Despite its weakened influence in the Middle East, the US is still the dominant diplomatic force.
Conflict in Gaza: Why is US taking a back seat?In the effort to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the US has not taken a front-line role. Partly, that's President Obama's style, partly it's because of new realities.
Obama's Myanmar speech sends message to North KoreaBarack Obama on Monday became the first US president to visit Myanmar, showing other Asian nations 鈥� such as North Korea 鈥� that America is willing to reach out to help reforms.
Gaza conflict offers Egypt's new leader a defining 'moment,' but it's briefThe Gaza crisis has put Egypt's President Morsi in a tight spot, caught between his sympathy for Hamas and his country's reliance on the US. If he chooses to play the role of mediator, he may have little time.
Obama vigorously defends UN envoy Rice, calling criticisms 'outrageous'Obama called Susan Rice's work at the UN 'exemplary' and said Sens. McCain and Graham, who threatened a filibuster to block her nomination to higher office, should instead 'go after me.'
Petraeus to testify: What Congress wants to know about Benghazi attackResigned CIA Director David Petraeus has agreed to testify to congressional intelligence panels about the Sept. 11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya. It'll be a closed-door meeting, but here's what lawmakers are poised to ask him.
What Obama will accomplish with a visit to MyanmarWith the Myanmar visit, President Obama will showcase one of his foreign-policy accomplishments and will underscore a US commitment to supporting Asia鈥檚 political and economic development.
War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term. The threat posed by Iran鈥檚 nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
