All Foreign Policy
- Ally no longer? Obama weighs options in post-Arab Spring Egypt.Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's slow and tepid response to protests targeting the US embassy confirmed Washington's worries: The US-Egypt relationship is entering a testing phase.
- Can Obama-Netanyahu rift over Iran be put on hold for the election?Netanyahu, a day after saying the US had no 'moral right' to stop an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites, sought to defuse the spat with Obama. But it's destined to linger through the election and potentially for long after.
- Obama response to Egypt mob 'disgraceful'? Most Republicans steer clear.Mitt Romney strongly criticized an Obama administration tweet about the protests that threatened the US embassy in Egypt. But most congressional Republicans struck a gentler tone.Â
- Ambassador Chris Stevens killed in Libya: Is Arab Spring turning against US?The flareup of violence in which Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in Libya shows how the Arab Spring has unleashed forces that are vehemently opposed to America and its ideals.
- Hillary Clinton vs. Condi Rice: Who gets the 'most traveled' crown?Traveler magazine awards the title to Hillary Clinton, based on the number of countries she has visited (soon to be 111). But in the miles traveled category, Condi Rice is ahead with a million-plus.
- Hillary Clinton in Asia: Are US goals on China realistic?Hillary Clinton's six-nation Asia-Pacific tour is all about China and making the rising power a good global citizen. But some Asia experts say Beijing may not see its interests and US goals lining up.Â
- UN report on Iran's nuclear progress signals tricky road ahead for ObamaIran doubled its capacity at an underground enrichment site, the IAEA reported. Israeli officials say Netanyahu will ask Obama in September to commit to military action to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons capability.
- UN crisis meeting on Syria: no safe havens, no agreement to actA Turkish appeal for the establishment of safe zones in Syria got little support in a divided Security Council. France and Britain touted an international effort to raise humanitarian-aid funds.
- UN chief Ban in Tehran: Is he coddling Iran or just doing his job?The decision by Ban Ki-moon to visit Iran for the non-aligned summit was criticized by the US and others, but the UN chief sees the trip as a chance to raise international concerns with the regime, as he did Wednesday.
- Turkey wants safe haven for refugees in Syria. Will UN – or NATO – oblige?Suggesting it has taken in its fill of refugees, Turkey is expected to press the UN this week to create a safe haven inside Syria, saying the humanitarian burden 'now needs to be shared.'
- Is the West inching toward military intervention in Syria?More countries are talking about implementing at least a partial no-fly zone in Syria and taking other steps to address the needs of the swelling numbers of refugees.
- Why optimism is low before Iran nuclear meeting: a tent and centrifugesSuspicions that a tent was erected at one site to thwart satellite views and reports of more underground centrifuges at another site have lowered expectations for Friday's meeting.
- US-Pakistan tensions: Time to stop pretending we are allies?Pakistan's former ambassador to the US suggests that American attempts to steer Pakistani policy with billions of dollars are only delaying a needed divorce and reset of relations.
- UN ends observer mission in Syria, but isn't giving upA small civilian office will replace the observer mission, and former Algerian foreign minister Lakhdar Brahimi has reportedly agreed to replace Kofi Annan as Syria envoy.
- Responding to quakes, US seeks path to Iranian 'hearts and minds'Americans can donate food and medicine to Iranian quake victims without violating sanctions, the US says, seeking to contrast its harsh treatment of the regime with its offer of aid to the people.
- Hillary Clinton floats a Syria no-fly zone. How real an option for US?In Turkey, Hillary Clinton called a Syria no-fly zone an option for the US. But Obama may be slow to choose it, and the remark may even have been a pointed signal aimed at Russia.
- Syria civil war rages: why Hillary Clinton is focused on what comes afterThe US is eager to keep undesirable actors out of a post-Assad Syria, but when Hillary Clinton meets Saturday with senior Turkish officials and Syrian opposition figures, they'll want to discuss the raging civil war.
- Kofi Annan quits as UN's Syria envoy. Is diplomacy at an end?It could be difficult to find anyone akin to Kofi Annan who can do better at imposing an international peace plan on what analysts now consider to be a full-blown civil war in Syria.
- Syria: UN Security Council inaction earns reprimand from General AssemblyThe UN General Assembly is voting Thursday to demand that Syrian President Assad step down. The symbolic move will also chastise the Security Council, where Russia and China have vetoed firmer action.
- Hillary Clinton goes to sub-Saharan Africa: a counterpoise to China's sway?The Secretary of State was in Senegal Wednesday, kicking off a six-nation trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Hillary Clinton will highlight Africa's economic and political progress – and try to define what Obama means by 'partnership, not patronage.'