President Hollande’s state visit was an attempted boost for the United States’ lead EU security partner and a sign of a more activist foreign policy in the White House, says CFR’s Charles Kupchan.

European outrage over NSA surveillance speaks to a larger disappointment with President Obama’s inability to strike a better balance between security and civil liberties, says CFR’s Charles Kupchan.

Western powers should pursue a negotiated settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan that includes real concessions from all sides, says CFR’s Stephen Biddle.

A number of diplomatic challenges, including disagreements over the crisis in Syria, could threaten to undermine years of improving U.S.-Turkey relations, says CFR’s Steven A. Cook.

Angela Merkel’s resounding electoral triumph likely means stability and continuity in Eurozone crisis management and little chance of a larger German role in global security, says CFR’s Charles Kupch…