Council on Foreign Relations

The United States faces a series of difficult policy and strategic questions with respect to its participation in the upcoming International Criminal court (ICC) Review Conference at Kampala, Uganda. The conference will consider the addition of the definition of the crime of aggression as well as a restriction on the rights of states to opt out of the Court's jurisdiction over war crimes. The conference may also consider proposals that the United States strongly opposed in the 1998 Rome negotiations. This Council Special Report will recommend primary and secondary objectives for the United States at the conference and suggest steps the Obama administration should take to best empower American negotiators to achieve those objectives.

In the wake of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, there is a clear need for effective systems of national and international justice and accountability. Made possible by the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation, the CFR Program on International Justice will examine the work of the international criminal tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, and issues such as universal jurisdiction. The program is directed by Adjunct Senior Fellows John B. Bellinger III and Matthew C. Waxman. The program will start by producing a Council Special Report to prepare for the Ten Year Review Conference for the International Criminal Court, scheduled for Kampala, Uganda, in May/June 2010.

Walter Russell Mead is examining the emergence of a middle class in several developing economies and studying the implication of this new force for American foreign policy. The project compares the political role that the middle class played in promoting democracy during the process of industrialization in the West with the role the middle class is playing today in promoting democracy in the Third World.

This series invites scholars, policymakers, and leaders to discuss a wide range of issues related to social, political, and economic development, women's empowerment, and education.

Isobel Coleman discusses her visit to Rwanda, and the prospects for democracy in the nation.

Isobel Coleman reviews Yemen by Victoria Clark and I Am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali.

Walter Russell Mead says that by responding sharply to Israel's plans for increased settlements, President Obama has strengthened his hand abroad and at home.

Isobel Coleman argues that local women can play a role in mitigating the corruption that surrounds humanitarian aid in Somalia.

Walter Russell Mead outlines the difficulties in interpreting the politics of American support for Israel.

Walter Russell Mead discusses the increasingly heated rift between the United States and Israel arising from the announcement of further settlements in Jerusalem during Vice President Biden's visit to the region.

Walter Russell Mead discusses the history of American Christian missionaries in the Arab world and their role in shaping American public opinion.

Walter Russell Mead comments on the disproportionate international treatment of Israel and the differences between critiques of Israel, anti-Zionism, and anti-Semitism.

Walter Russell Mead argues that the United States could be brought into a conflict with Iran unprovoked, but being tougher on the Iranian regime now might ward off such a scenario.

James M. Lindsay and Ray Takeyh state that in efforts to contain a nuclear Iran, "military options should not be taken off the table."

John B. Bellinger III argues that there may be little difference between the international law policies of the Bush and Obama administrations.

Walter Russell Mead comments that the recent Ukrainian election was a "setback" to the spread of democracy in the world.

Kara C. McDonald discusses how high-level visits to Haiti can hamper the relief effort.

Leslie H. Gelb remembers Robert McNamara.

Peter Beinart discusses Hillary Clinton's speech at CFR.

Isobel Coleman and Congressman Steve Israel discuss solar villages.

Peter Beinart discusses Franklin D. Roosevelt's foreign policy legacy.

Michael J. Gerson asks, "In Cairo, will [President Obama] have anything to say to those fighting for human rights?"

Leslie H. Gelb discusses Secretary Geithner's trip to China.

Michael J. Gerson argues that Republican opposition to President Obama's appointment of Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court would be "politically risky and ultimately futile."

Michael J. Gerson argues that Republicans should be listening to Colin Powell.

Michael J. Gerson argues, "the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress have delivered a series of blows to the pride and morale of the Central Intelligence Agency."

Leslie H. Gelb discusses foreign policy bestsellers.

Richard N. Haass argues that "partial success" is preferable to "expensive failures" in U.S. foreign policy.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the meeting among Presidents Obama, Zardari, and Karzai.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that President Obama's upcoming meeting with Asif Ali Zardari will ignore the issue of Pakistan's supply of nuclear weapons.

Richard N. Haass argues that the second Iraq war was a war of choice - and a blunder.

Michael J. Gerson remembers Congressman Jack Kemp.

Richard N. Haass discusses the difficulties surrounding dissent in policymaking.

Richard N. Haass argues that "criminalizing legitimate policy differences will paralyze the conduct of foreign policy."

Peter Beinart argues that in the Palestinian territories, "it's best to stop worrying so much about what Hamas says and try to create a situation in which we can better influence what it does."

Michael J. Gerson discusses the Justice Department's release of the memos on coercive interrogations.

Walter Russell Mead argues that an increasing number of developing countries are turning into the "pacesetters of liberal global capitalism."

Michael Gerson argues that Secretary Gates's defense budget focuses resources and attention precisely where they are most necesary.

Max Boot discusses Defense Secretary Robert Gates's proposed defense agenda.

Michael Gerson reviews Dambisa Moyo's Dead Aid, in the Washington Post.

Leslie H. Gelb argues that President Obama's team has yet to identify the benchmarks that are central to the president's Afghanistan strategy, and knowing what President Obama chooses not to do in the region is just as critical as knowing the policies he does plan to carry out.

Michael Gerson argues that in light of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur's refugee camps, the international community faces  a difficult choice: accept President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's decision to expel relief groups, or increase pressure on Sudan's regime at the risk of more short-term suffering and death.

Leslie H. Gelb expresses concern that the White House may be focusing too narrowly on its own strategy for Afghanistan, and Congress will have to take responsibility to explore a larger set of options.

Michael Gerson examines the Obama administration's "incremental approach" to negotiations with Iran.

Noah Feldman asks, "Has the Obama administration changed the legal rules for detaining suspects in the war on terrorism, or is it continuing in the footsteps of the Bush administration?"

Leslie H. Gelb envisions the state of the world in 2040.