Obama to Asia: The United States Is Back

President Barack Obama will launch a ten-day diplomatic tour of the Asia-Pacific region next week, making stops in Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. Obama will reassure Asian nations that the United States will continue to play a role in balancing Chinese influence in the region, and reassure China that Washington seeks cooperation rather than confrontation with Beijing, explains Douglas Paal.

More on U.S. Foreign Policy:: Mr. Obama Goes to Asia: Defining a Regional Policy [event]; Obama's Trip to Asia: Ask the Expert [Q&A]; The United States and India 3.0 [policy brief]

Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Iran has proposed modifications to the IAEA’s nuclear export deal that would undermine its central goal of immediately reducing Iran’s uranium stockpile. Deepti Choubey suggests that Iran's apparent rejection of the original IAEA plan could unify the major powers to adopt harsher legal and economic measures.

More on Iran:: What's With Iran? [op-ed]; Why a Month Matters [op-ed]; Dealing with Iran: The Power of Legitimacy [policy outlook]; Establishing the Right Precedent in Supplying Fuel to Iran [analysis]

Getting Lost in Afghanistan

Abdullah Abdullah’s decision to drop out of Afghanistan’s presidential run-off election complicates the Obama administration’s efforts to formulate a strategy for U.S. military forces in the country. Gilles Dorronsoro explains how former U.S. marine and foreign service officer Matthew P. Hoh’s letter of resignation raises a number of important questions about the value of a continued American combat presence in Afghanistan.

More on Afghanistan:: Who Are the Taliban? [Q&A]; The Afghanistan Problem [op-ed]; Already Illegitimate [op-ed]; What's the Right Strategy for Afghanistan? [op-ed]

Revitalizing Democracy Assistance

Democracy is largely stagnant in the world and a growing number of governments exhibit hostility toward international democracy aid. Thomas Carothers explains that tackling longstanding problems with the basic structures of U.S. democracy aid would boost President Obama’s effort to formulate an approach to democracy promotion. As the largest source of such assistance, USAID is an obvious starting point for deep-reaching reforms.

This Time, Ban the Test

The treaty calling for a global ban on nuclear tests was rejected by the U.S. Senate ten years ago. Jessica T. Mathews says in the International Herald Tribune that ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will enhance U.S. national security. Deepti Choubey explains in the Hill how the treaty will help the United States address the proliferation threats of today.