The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Energy

Summary: Despite talk of a renaissance, nuclear power will account for a declining percentage of global electricity generation without aggressive financial support and significant policy changes. Before committing to a rapid expansion of nuclear energy, the next U.S. administration must address critical questions about the feasibility and safety of that expansion, and act to minimize proliferation risks.

International Affairs

Summary: Successive U.S. administrations have forfeited the chance to integrate Russia into the West first afforded by the collapse of Communism and again by 9/11. The United States has either neglected Russia or openly disregarded its overtures and warnings on a range of regional concerns. President-elect Obama needs a comprehensive approach to Russia based on a shared vision of European security.

Summary: An Israeli–Syrian peace deal is a real possibility and would have a positive effect on the Middle East and U.S. interests there. But the two sides will not reach an agreement without U.S. leadership. The incoming administration should use a balance of pressure, incentives, and robust diplomacy to make the agreement a reality.

Summary: Stability in Afghanistan and the future of its government depend on the United States and its Afghan and other allies providing security for the Afghan people. Calls for an Iraq-style “troop surge” ignore the immediate need for a comprehensive political strategy to fix Afghanistan’s fragile security structure, dysfunctional system of government, and unstable borders.

Summary: The crisis in Georgia bluntly revealed the failure by the United States and Russia to create a closer working relationship after the Cold War. Agreements like the START and Concentional Armed Forces in Europe treaties could help establish a new book of rules both countries can embrace.

Summary: Efforts to re-invigorate a movement to abolish nuclear weapons are rising on the international agenda. The next U.S. president should emphasize the goal of abolishing nuclear weapons in an effort to: prevent proliferation, prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce the threat of nuclear annihilation, and foster new optimism for U.S. global leadership.

Summary: Iran continues to be a critical national security challenge for the United States, despite decades of effort to change Tehran’s behavior by isolating the country politically and economically. The relevant question is not whether to talk to Iran but how. Engagement should focus on six critical issues: Iraq, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, the Arab–Israeli conflict, energy, and terrorism.

Summary: A new IAEA report says that Iran continues to defy UN Security Council resolutions and enrich uranium while refusing to answer IAEA questions regarding possible weaponization activities. If the United States is to induce Iran to halt enrichment activities, both the costs of defiance and the benefits of cooperation must be greater, warns George Perkovich in a new policy brief.

Summary: The next U.S. president must pursue a balanced strategy toward Pakistan that simultaneously strengthens the civilian government—the best hope for Pakistan’s long-term stability—without alienating the Pakistani army.

Summary: The next U.S. administration can develop a clear strategic vision for Asia befitting the region’s status as the new global “center of gravity” by: Deciding on clear U.S. strategic objectives in the region, appointing a high-level advocate for Asia, prioritizing the bewildering alphabet of organizations and venues to achieve those objectives, and avoiding coalitions based on common values or democracy.

Summary: The next U.S. administration should not push for a new league of democracies, but instead take the following steps to bolster democracy promotion and United States foreign policy around the world: Opt for more flexible partnerships to fit specific issues and contexts, clarify that the U.S. does not intend to use military force to overthrow governments in the name of democracy, and correct policies that produce U.S. abuses of the rule of law and civil liberties at home and abroad.

Summary: To keep a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict alive for the next administration, the U.S. should stop blocking a power sharing agreement between Hamas and Fatah,  pursue a realistic cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and help develop Palestinian institutions capable of authoritative decisions.

Summary: The U.S. and China can take practical, non treaty-based approaches to cutting their carbon dioxide emissions across economic sectors—with little financial impact. Steps include eliminating subsidies that discourage energy efficiency, providing tax breaks for efficient and low-carbon energy investment, and making climate cooperation integral to trade policy.