All Foreign Policy
With G8 snub, US-Putin 'reset' off to stumbling start'President Putin expressed his regret that he would be unable to attend the G8 Summit at Camp David on May 18-19,' the White House announced this week.
Is lull in US-Iran tensions just calm before the storm? Talks will tell.A better-than-expected first round of talks on Iran's nuclear program is the key reason for the lull. But some experts say any optimism may be just wishful thinking, and a lot can go wrong with Round 2.
Obama's secret trip: why he wanted quick signing of pact with KarzaiOn the anniversary of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Obama flew secretly to Afghanistan to sign the Strategic Partnership Agreement with President Hamid Karzai.
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden鈥檚 death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
Dogwood diplomacy: US gift of trees to Japan is cherry on top of Okinawa dealA century after Japan presented the US with a gift of 3,000 cherry trees, the US is reciprocating with 3,000 specially bred dogwoods. But the deal to nearly halve the number of Marines on Okinawa may be even sweeter.
Can US contain flap over dissident, before Hillary Clinton gets to China?Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a high-level entourage are set to arrive in Beijing Thursday for economic and security talks with China. The US custody of Chinese dissident Chen Guangchen jeopardizes that meeting, but some analysts say it's likely to proceed regardless.
A Rodney King moment, as US tries to restart talks with the Afghan TalibanMarc Grossman, US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, met with senior Afghan and Pakistani officials this week. 'The shared goal is to open the door for Afghans to sit down with other Afghans to talk about the future of their country,' Mr. Grossman said.
As Syria cease-fire falters, Kofi Annan urges faster arrival of UN monitorsKofi Annan, the former UN chief who negotiated the cease-fire, spoke to the Security Council Tuesday. He appears alarmed by claims that Syrian forces massacred 30 civilians in the city of Hama Monday.
In 1978 Egypt, Jimmy Carter had cachet. In 'new' Egypt, not so much.Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords that normalized Egyptian-Israeli relations. This week Egypt's military rulers dissed the ex-president, refusing to allow his Carter Center to observe the presidential election next month.
Will Obama's new atrocities board lead to more Libya-style operations?President Obama Monday announced the creation of the Atrocities Prevention Board 鈥� an advisory panel dealing with potential genocides. The board is seen as a victory for the White House's 'interventionist' wing.
Egypt鈥檚 shaky finances: Can the IMF and government agree on a loan deal?The IMF wants assurances that the political leaders who emerge to run Egypt after elections next month will be on board with the financial requirements underpinning a proposed $3.2 billion loan.
Economic weather report by IMF's Christine Lagarde: 'umbrella' still neededThis weekend, Christine Lagarde oversees her first spring meetings of the IMF since taking its helm in July. On Thursday, she gave a mixed report on the global economy, citing 'dark clouds on the horizon.'
West moves toward backing more monitors for SyriaBut the countries that met in Paris Thursday night are also preparing the ground for more coercive measures 鈥� including possible NATO involvement 鈥� if the violence in Syria does not stop.
Afghanistan attacks: Were signs of improved US-Pakistan ties just a mirage?Despite optimism relations were rebounding, the attacks bore the signature of a Pakistan-based group, a reminder, as the US plans to exit Afghanistan, that Pakistan is at best a fickle partner.
Amid threats to cease-fire, 'Friends of Syria' seek new ways to press AssadAt a meeting in Paris, the 'Friends of Syria' countries supporting the opposition are looking at further cuts in Syria's oil exports. But Russia says the group is undermining the cease-fire.
Iran nuclear talks: why, this time, both sides are staying positiveIran hopes that success in nuclear talks will ease the bite of sanctions, while President Obama aims to show that his policy of tougher sanctions and diplomacy will produce results.- Obama calls North Korean rocket launch 'provocative'Despite the failure of the launch, the White House views the attempt as a threat to security.
North Korea as 'Oz': Pay no attention to the nation behind the curtainIn the run-up to its 'rocket' launch, North Korea put on a show for the global media. But amid the fanfare it's clear that isolation serves Pyongyang better than close world scrutiny. 'We don't really care about opinion from the outside,' said one official, bluntly.
Why North Korea seems willing to ignore US warnings on missile testThe US, which has already withdrawn a promise of food aid, warns North Korea a missile test would be 'provocative.' But analysts see an attempt to bolster the country's young leader. 聽
Iran nuclear talks: Is compromise offer from Tehran good news?Ahead of scheduled weekend talks in Istanbul on its nuclear program, Iran rejects some demands but signals it could halt uranium enrichment after stockpiling enough for research.