China’s nuclear modernization concerns the United States and its Asian allies, but Washington has largely failed to engage Beijing effectively on nuclear strategy.

Deepening the U.S.-India partnership requires President Obama to address institutional deficiencies in Washington, cooperate with New Delhi on Afghanistan and Iran, build up India’s defense capabilities, and encourage Indian economic reform.

The Obama administration must realize that no “foreign policy” issue will matter as much to global economic, political, and ultimately security conditions in the coming year as whether the United States can demonstrate that it is able to deal with its economic crisis.

Furthering the cause of democracy in the Middle East requires realistic, pragmatic U.S. leadership to encourage reform and promote the development of civil society in the region.

Political bickering has blinded American leadership to the deeply rooted problems with the U.S. economy.

Without substantive changes in the U.S. approach, Afghan government institutions are unlikely to survive the withdrawal of international forces.

Democracy promotion is central to U.S. foreign policy, but the loss of global democratic momentum, problems of Western political credibility, and the rise of alternative political models are making it a more challenging task than ever.

With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still a formidable obstacle to any binding nuclear deal,the Obama administration should focus on motivating Iran to cap its nuclear development.

President Obama must work with private, public, and nongovernmental organization leaders to develop a transparent carbon-pricing structure that advances national energy, economic, and climate security.

The Obama administration has a unique opportunity to redefine the U.S.-Russian strategic relationship by cooperating with Moscow on missile defense.

The United States and China must find ways to cooperate if the rebalance of American policy toward Asia is to succeed.