Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The attack on the flotilla headed for Gaza was not only a political catastrophe for the Israelis; it also underscored the tragedy of the situation in Gaza and the need for substantive progress to be made in the peace process.
The Nuclear Security Summit is the largest U.S.-hosted gathering of world leaders in 65 years. Its focus was on the threat of nuclear terrorism and the importance of global cooperation in the effort to secure nuclear materials.
Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama recently signed a treaty to cut both countries' nuclear arms stockpiles. Although this agreement changes little in the strategic environment between the two countries, it may give a boost to the “reset” initiative.
The new nuclear arms reduction treaty is a positive outcome of the "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations, and will be a significant contribution to global non-proliferation efforts.
Both the United States and Russia face the threat of global terrorism, and they should work together and share intelligence in order to respond to terrorist threats.
In the wake of the recent Moscow suicide bombings, the Russian people may begin to draw a connection between corruption among police and security forces and the inability of those security forces to protect Russian citizens from terrorist attacks.
In spite of discussions highlighting the intense partisanship of U.S. politics, there is a strong bipartisan consensus on the key issues of U.S. foreign policy, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.
The United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia have called for a freeze on all Israeli settlement activity, increasing the international pressure on Israel in the hopes of reinvigorating indirect peace talks.
While U.S.-Russian strategic thinking is broadly aligned and an agreement replacing START I is expected to be signed in early April, it remains important to broaden the circle of nuclear powers engaged in the disarmament process.
Security and social order in Afghanistan are continuing to deteriorate, especially in the north, and negotiating with the Taliban may become the only viable option for a sustainable peace.