Topic: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan
As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.
-
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'
Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
-
In Pictures: Speakers in support of the MEK
-
Five senators push Obama to do more in Libya
While President Obama predicts US forces could disengage from Libya within the week, Senate hawks who pressed for military intervention watch closely to see that the mission's goals are fulfilled. Critics, including conservatives, say they are leading the nation into endless, costly wars. Here’s how the hawks respond – and what they say should happen next.
All Content
-
Decoder Wire
Might Ben Affleck try leap from Hollywood to US Senate? So far, he's cagey.The actor and director says he's 'happy being involved from outside in government.' But Ben Affleck didn't exactly put the kibosh on talk about a possible run for John Kerry's Senate seat.
-
John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional style (+video)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
-
Obama chooses John Kerry for secretary of State. How might he do?
President Obama is expected on Friday to name Sen. John Kerry to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He'd come with his own pet issues – as well as a reputation as a patient negotiator.
-
Hillary Clinton recovering from fall, working from home
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has canceled work-related trips as well as a planned appearance before Congress to testify on the Benghazi attack. Clinton is working from home after she fainted last week.
-
John Kerry, Chuck Hagel: Vietnam vets to lead US foreign and defense policies?
Sen. John Kerry is the leading contender to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel could be Obama's next Defense Secretary.
-
Susan Rice's surprise withdrawal saves Obama a fight (+video)
UN ambassador Susan Rice, once perceived as a natural replacement for Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, has withdrawn her name from the nomination process. It now seems likely that President Obama will pick Senator John Kerry for the role.
-
Libya hearings: Will political vitriol squelch effort to improve security?
One main purpose for congressional hearings into the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, is to find out how to improve security for US diplomats. But political point-scoring could get in the way.
-
Why Susan Rice is being targeted by Republicans (+video)
Susan Rice, US Ambassador to the UN, is on the short list to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But Sen. John McCain is leading a charge to keep Susan Rice from being nominated.
-
The Monitor's View: Look outward, Obama
The president’s domestic agenda may consist of making compromises with Republicans. But overseas he is freer to act. And there’s much that needs his attention.
-
Biden-Ryan debate: why it doesn’t matter, and why it does (+video)
Vice presidential debates have no history of swinging presidential races. But after President Obama's subpar performance last week, Vice President Joe Biden faces pressure Thursday night.
-
Mitt Romney wants to arm Syrian rebels: What are the risks?
Extremist elements, some affiliated with Al Qaeda, appear to be playing a growing role in the fight against the Assad regime, posing a challenge to proposals, such as Romney's, to arm the Syrian rebels.
-
Mitt Romney to lay out foreign policy, national security agenda (+video)
Following a series of rhetorical stumbles, Mitt Romney is scheduled to lay out his more muscular foreign policy and national security agenda at the Virginia Military Institute Monday. But is it really all that different from President Obama's?
-
Libya attack: GOP goes after the White House, especially Susan Rice
Questions about how the Obama administration has handled the attack in Libya that killed the US ambassador on Sept. 11 have taken a harder political edge. A prominent Republican says UN Ambassador Susan Rice should resign over faulty reporting of the attack.
-
Syrian crisis: the case for the US to intervene now – or not
Senate hawks urge a swift US military response to Syria's deepening conflict, citing humanitarian concerns and US security interests, including the regime's chemical weapons. Critics ask: Is it possible to end the fighting on acceptable terms?
-
Top 3 lessons the US military has learned in Afghanistan
As robust defense budget wranglings continue on Capitol Hill, much of the debate about one of the Pentagon's largest expenses – Afghanistan – centers around just how effective the decade-long fight has been. Here are the top three lessons that US military has learned in Afghanistan.
-
US plans to base regional force in Kuwait. Will Iran get the message?
As the Pentagon exits Afghanistan it is looking to Kuwait to base a sizable force. One aim, to dispel the perception in the Mideast, disseminated by Iran, that the US is pulling back in the region.
-
Senate fight brews over Obama's Iraq ambassador pick
Brett McGurk is drawing the ire of Senate Republicans, who point to an inappropriate relationship with his now-wife when she was a journalist.
-
Decoder Wire
Bin Laden documents diss Joe Biden. Did he get 'The Onion' in Abbottabad? (+video)According to declassified Osama bin Laden documents found at his Pakistan compound, Al Qaeda's late leader called Joe Biden 'totally unprepared' for the presidency, and left him off a hit list.
-
Opinion: Senate resolution on Iran may be bipartisan, but it could lead to war
The Senate is considering a bipartisan resolution on Iran that denounces containment and could be taken as an authorization of US force against a nuclear Iran. But containment is the second-worst option. A preventive strike that could lead to war in the Middle East is the worst.
-
George Clooney arrested for Sudan protest in D.C. (+video)
George Clooney and several others were arrested outside the Sudan Embassy in Washington, DC Friday. Clooney was protesting the Sudan government's blockade of humanitarian aid.
-
Syria's deputy oil minister defects to protest Assad crackdown
Abdo Husameddine's announcement came one day after the top US general said President Barack Obama has asked for a preliminary review of military options in Syria, as the conflict grows increasingly dire.
-
War games: Republicans could write Obama blank check on Iran
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Congress should consider giving the president preemptive authority to attack Iran. Democratic leaders were wary of the plan.
-
The Last Great Senate
Did the Senate really used to be a grand institution? Ira Shapiro argues that it was – and not that long ago.
-
Latin America Monitor
Alan Gross imprisonment a result of misguided US rhetoric?Cuba said last month it would release 2,900 prisoners ahead of the pope's visit this spring, but US prisoner Alan Gross is not to be one of them.
-
Barney Frank exit may signal the end of glory days for Mass. Democrats
Barney Frank will not seek re-election in 2012, but will there be enough Democratic fire power left in Massachusetts after he's gone?
Become part of the Monitor community