The creation of a new U.S. military command for Africa signals the continent’s growing strategic importance and its many development challenges.

Gen. David Petraeus’ assertions about falling casualties in Iraq are supported by a range of objective sources. But his testimony to Congress does not establish whether the decline is attributable to…

The events in Iraq affect core U.S. interests, and Washington should be prepared to help both battle jihadist forces and press for political reforms over the long run, says CFR’s David Palkki.

Anthony H. Cordesman, a prominent analyst of the Iraq war, says if President Bush does not produce a credible, persuasive plan in his Iraq policy speech, “he is going to be perceived relatively quick…