The startup of the Bushehr nuclear plant is feeding worries about Iran's nuclear agenda and talk about whether sanctions are failing.

Elliott Abrams says that hostility toward Israel should be left out of the debate over striking against Iran's nuclear program.

The imbroglio over the ground-zero mosque, like all New York stories, is about the clashing dreams of ordinary folks—and, of course, real estate.

Jagdish Bhagwati calls for increased domestic funding for NGOs in India.

Donald G. McNeil Jr. examines the political and geostrategic implications of U.S. foreign aid to Pakistan in the wake of heavy floods that struck the country in August.

Pakistan's floods spell setbacks for the U.S. fight against extremism and its war effort in Afghanistan, says CFR's Daniel Markey. He says beyond humanitarian aid relief, Washington must focus on boosting Pakistan's economy through greater trade opportunities.

Progress is possible in the newly announced Mideast talks, but the Obama administration will need to display deft leadership to overcome deep mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, writes CFR's Robert Danin.

Report

20 August 2010 -- WHO suggests that countries should be prepared to implement hospital infection control measures to limit the spread of multi-drug resistant strains and to reinforce national policy on prudent use of antibiotics, reducing the generation of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Max Boot argues that even with the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq, the United States must continue to fight for Iraq's future.

The growth and strengthening of Afghanistan's domestic security forces is seen as key to an eventual U.S. exit, but some analysts caution that progress will remain slow.

A preview of world events in the coming week from CFR.org.

Michael J. Hicks of Ball State University and Mark L. Burton of The University of Tennessee provide a preliminary estimate of damages, in monetary value, from the 2010 Pakistan floods.

Jerome A. Cohen defends his efforts to support open democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law in Taiwan.

Benn Steil and Paul Swartz's op-ed in the August 19 edition of the Wall Street Journal explains why the Fed must give up control over the setting of the Fed funds rate--or indeed any interest rate--in order to implement its announced exit strategy. But they argue that evidence from the eurozone suggests strongly that the Fed will be unwilling to relinquish control over rates.

To mark World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Eric Schwartz and Susan Reichle look at lessons to be learned from humanitarian crises over the last decade and how the United States can become more effective in its civilian relief efforts across the globe.

Despite some positive economic data, analysts say China's undervalued currency, rising U.S. imports, and risky Fed policies continue to threaten the global economic recovery.

Ray Takeyh clarifies the extent of the CIA's involvement in the 1953 coup in Iran.

Bob Gates never thought he'd be Barack Obama's defense secretary. Now, in an exclusive interview, the most revolutionary Pentagon leader since Robert McNamara tells FP why he said yes, when he'll get out of Washington, and what legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Richard N. Haass discusses the lessons to be taken from the history of U.S. military involvement in Iraq--and their implications for how to move forward in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran.