All Foreign Policy
Is Ukraine crisis proof that Obama's 'lead from behind' policy failed?With Secretary of State Kerry traveling to Kiev Tuesday to demonstrate US support for Ukraine, critics of Obama's foreign policy doctrine are hoping the trip signals the end of 'lead from behind.'
Pro-Israel lobby presses for new US sanctions on Iran, but gingerlyAIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby, wants Congress to put more pressure on Iran, a.k.a. new sanctions, to abandon its nuclear program. But it doesn't want to pick an open fight with Obama, who opposes such sanctions for now.
Crisis in Ukraine: As Russia surges, is US still a 'superpower'?The US and its European allies are threatening economic sanctions against Russia over its military incursion into Ukraine. But the crisis raises questions about a new cold war and the US as the lone superpower.
Crisis in Ukraine: Obama鈥檚 options appear limitedPresident Obama said there would be 'costs' if Russia intervened militarily in Ukraine, which could include refusing to attend a G8 summit in Russia this summer. But the US has other important interests in maintaining a working relationship with Russia.
Crisis in Ukraine: Obama warns Russia of 'costs' of interventionPresident Obama said violation of Ukraine鈥檚 territorial integrity would be 'deeply destabilizing' and warned Russia of unspecified 'costs' for military interference. But US options appear limited.
Sunnylands: Syria, peace talks on the menu at Obama-King Abdullah dinnerSunnylands, the former Annenberg estate, is becoming a West Coast Camp David of sorts for President Obama, who is hosting King Abdullah of Jordan for talks on Syria's crisis and Israeli-Palestinian peace.
US-Afghan ties so discordant, even vow to sign security deal hits a sour notePresident Hamid Karzai gave assurances last weekend that Afghanistan would sign a security deal that the US has long sought. But he chose to tell Germany's foreign minister first.
'Save Syria'? Why the brutal conflict hasn't produced a bumper sticker.The horrors in Darfur produced a bumper sticker and a movement, but Syria's civil war faces hurdles, including the view in the US that there are 'no good options' for resolving the conflict.
For Obama and France's Hollande, the question du jour: What's for dinner?Presidents Obama and Hollande are showcasing their unity on such issues as Iran and Syria, but the evening will be all about caviar from Illinois, beef from Colorado, and chocolate from Hawaii.
State visit: For Hollande, it's good thing US, France are working hand in gloveFrench President Fran莽ois Hollande will take part in several events in Washington, culminating in a state dinner Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, he鈥檒l travel to San Francisco to focus on Silicon Valley industries.
Has Syria policy failed? Some see signs of a more forceful US posture.The Obama administration is discussing new options for addressing the civil war in Syria amid warnings of growing threats to US national security, especially the rising strength of Al Qaeda-linked groups.
Top five foreign policy points in Obama's State of the Union speechIn his State of the Union message, President Obama laid out intentions to keep a 'small' residual force in Afghanistan, to veto any new Iran sanctions that Congress may approve, and to close the Guant谩namo detention camp.
Syria talks showcase chasm in positions. What was US expecting?Whether Assad could be part of a transitional Syrian government elicited sharp disagreement at the talks, suggesting US hopes for the forum were modest, perhaps just a series of small steps.
Progress WatchNuclear materials threat: Countries improving security, agency findsThe Nuclear Materials Security Index notes progress in several countries. In the last two years, seven have given up most of their weapons-grade uranium and plutonium, while others are tightening security measures.
Benghazi attack: Senate report slams State Department, intelligence agenciesIn a new report, a Senate committee faults the State Department and US intelligence agencies for failure to prevent the 2012 terrorist attack on a US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.
Rand Paul's foreign policy pitch to Republicans: I'm no extremistSen. Rand Paul, who has been telling Republican donors he is not a libertarian extremist, told the Center for the National Interest in Washington Tuesday he is not an isolationist, rather US foreign policy is 'too belligerent.'
Is Congress about to kill Iran nuclear deal against Obama's wishes?Congress appears to be moving toward approving new sanctions against Iran with a veto-proof majority, potentially undermining the interim nuclear deal now being implemented.
Date set to begin Iran nuclear dealOfficials announced Sunday that implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement reached in November will begin Jan. 20. A major challenge for the Obama administration is fending off the congressional push for increased economic sanctions on Iran.- Progress WatchHow a simple travel voucher is saving the lives of pregnant African womenUSAID is reporting 'extraordinary results' from a pilot program in Zambia and Uganda that gives pregnant women travel vouchers and spares them hours of walking to obtain health care.
Fall of Fallujah reverberates in Washington. But will US help Iraq?After militants seized Fallujah over the weekend, Secretary Kerry vowed 'everything that is possible' to help Iraq fight a resurgent Al Qaeda. Iraq has sought US arms for years, but Congress has balked.