The Candidates and The World

Transition 2012

A guide to foreign policy and the 2012 U.S. presidential transition.

Cabinet Update: John Brennan Nominated to Head the CIA

by Toni Johnson Monday, January 7, 2013
John Brennan in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington October 29, 2010. (Jason Reed/Courtesy Reuters) John Brennan in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington October 29, 2010. (Jason Reed/Courtesy Reuters)

President Obama has nominated John Brennan (Politico) to be head of the CIA, a post that has remained vacant since David Petraeus resigned in November (NBC) after disclosing an extramarital affair. Brennan is currently a chief White House aide on counterterrorism. Read more »

Fiscal Cliff Update: The Lingering Uncertainty

by Toni Johnson Friday, January 4, 2013
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Speaker of the House John Boehner the first day of the 113th Congress in Washington January 3, 2013. (Kevin Lamarque/Courtesy Reuters) Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Speaker of the House John Boehner the first day of the 113th Congress in Washington January 3, 2013. (Kevin Lamarque/Courtesy Reuters)

Congress was able to come to a last minute deal to stave off going over the so-called fiscal cliff, with President Obama signing a compromise fiscal package into law on January 2, 2013. 

This chart compares several alternative fiscal cliff proposals with the final compromise legislation courtesy of the Washington Post’s Wonkblog: Read more »

Video Brief Roundup: India, Africa, and Latin America

by Newsteam Staff Wednesday, January 2, 2013

These videos are from a series with CFR fellows on vital foreign policy and national security topics that will face President Barack Obama in his second term. They were recorded during the campaign and originally posted as part of the President’s Inbox, a collection of materials on issues that will face the next president beginning next year.

Daniel Markey on India

The incoming administration must be prepared for “a significant potential for near-term crisis” between India and its historical rival Pakistan, says CFR’s Daniel Markey. The president will also have to engage with India on top foreign policy priorities including Iran’s nuclear program and the U.S. departure from Afghanistan, Markey says.

Read more »

Video Brief Roundup: Climate Change and Energy

by Newsteam Staff Wednesday, January 2, 2013

These videos are from a series with CFR fellows on vital foreign policy and national security topics that will face President Barack Obama in his second term. They were recorded during the campaign and originally posted as part of the President’s Inbox, a collection of materials on issues that will face the next president beginning next year.

Michael Levi on Climate Change

The Obama administration will face at least three sets of climate challenges including reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, facing international pressure, and developing climate-friendly technology, says CFR’s Michael Levi. The United States must also be prepared for a potential “clean energy race” to invent new clean technologies and capture the markets for these technologies, Levi says.

Read more »