Topic: George Shultz

Susan Rice's 'worst week' could derail Secretary of State bid

As critics go after her comments on the Benghazi terrorist attack, Susan Rice's race, gender, and personality have become part of the debate over whether she should be the next Secretary of State. Even those who might have supported her are floating other names.

Opinion: Romney and Obama on foreign policy: short on specifics

President Obama and Mitt Romney delivered foreign policy speeches to the VFW this week, but neither offered great detail on how they will deal with a fractious world. With Romney on a trip to Britain, Israel, and Poland, let's hope both candidates put tawdry domestic policy sniping on hold.

George F. Kennan: An American Life

John Lewis Gaddis's biography is an important examination of a man who shaped the current American way of life.

Robert Gates: Defense Secretary's exit interview

Robert Gates will retire this month as the US Defense Secretary. In his 45-year career, he's served under eight presidents. In a Newsweek interview, Gates discusses Hilary Clinton, Osama bin Laden's death, and emerging US isolationism.

Kofi Annan, George Shultz say drug war a failure

A new report calls the 'war on drugs' a failure. The claim isn't new, but hearing it from an ex-UN head and a former US secretary of State adds new weight to the criticism.

Colin Powell gives Obama backing on START nuclear deal

Colin Powell and Obama warned of grave consequences if the Senate fails to ratify the New START pact, which would reduce how many strategic warheads the United States and Russia could hold and set up a system so each could inspect and verify the other's arsenal.

Why I'm keeping my Encyclopedia Britannica -- all 24 nondigital volumes

‘But I need them!’ I exclaimed. Gently, my wife asked, ‘When did you last use them?’

Notable architects of US foreign policy

From 'Seward's folly' to the marshall plan, a snapshot of American diplomacy of the past.

Top Picks: 'Through a Dog's Eyes,' 'Climate Refugees,' small donations, and more recommendations

PBS documentary about service dogs on DVD, book about climate displacement, a donation that changes the world, and more top picks.

America's best (and most boring) neighbor: Canada

Canadians have much to be grateful for, including little attention from the US.

Dmitry Medvedev to tour Silicon Valley, seek investors

Dmitry Medvedev visits Silicon Valley for the first time on Wednesday, eager to reinvent his country's outmoded, oil-dependent economy.

Does the Obama nuclear strategy put the US at risk?

Former Secretary of State George Shultz, a Republican, defends Obama’s nuclear strategy and discusses his vision of a world without nukes.

Nuclear weapons: Is full disarmament possible?

As world leaders convene in Washington for a summit on halting the spread of nuclear weapons, a global debate is rising on the merits – and feasibility – of total nuclear disarmament.

Russia and the US: Has a season of nuclear disarmament finally arrived?

The US-Russia nuclear arms deal that Obama is slated to sign April 8 signals a modest, but significant, step forward.

Nuclear weapons-free world: a vision of Kennedy, Reagan, Obama

Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, and now, Obama all envisioned a world free of nuclear weapons. The US-Russian START accord, announced Friday, is a next step in that direction, experts say.

The Monitor's View: On Iran and North Korea, Obama's nuclear-free vision is at stake

Their latest defiance will undermine his grand goal. He must act more forcefully.

Obama, at UN, wins stricter stance on nuclear weapons

New Security Council resolution doesn't name Iran or North Korea. But France's Sarkozy singles them out, suggesting more must be done to address nuclear violators.

Can Obama lead the world toward zero nukes?

Obama will chair a UN Security Council summit on nuclear nonproliferation Thursday – the first US president to preside over the body.

Opinion: A nuclear-free world? Not yet.

Obama is right to seek reductions. But nukes are still fundamental to deterrence.

Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to fight UFOs

G-20 could help US, Russia "reset" ties

Afghanistan and arms control are two areas where the countries could find common ground.

Will Obama and Clinton work as a team?

They’ve had differences, but Obama is expected to name her as secretary of State.

Opinion: History may wink at Palin

The VP role has been filled by a diverse lot. By that standard she may have what it takes.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about nuclear weapons, how Israelis can build peace with Palestinians, and what students really need to learn