Joseph Cirincione and Alexandra Bell, "The Top Five Nuclear Issues of 2007," Center for American Progress, December 28, 2007
The close of 2007 reveals it was a roller coaster year for nuclear issues, both positive and perilous. We picked the five most important issues of the past year that have had and will have the most impact on U.S. policy in 2008. We explore this top five list in reverse order of importance—to give U.S. policymakers a clear list of priorities for the coming year—but first, we would be remiss not to mention the close contenders that did not make our list, including...

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Brian Katulis, "Democracy Sidetracked Again," Balitmore Sun, December 28, 2008
Yesterday's murder of Pakistani opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto brings U.S. policy on Pakistan back into the spotlight. Having just returned from Pakistan last week, I can't say that this incident is a complete surprise. On the eve of next month's parliamentary election, tensions among Pakistan's political leaders were palpable as violence escalated.

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Spencer Boyer and Caroline Wadhams, "The NATO Divide: Why the United States and NATO Aren't on the Same Page in Afghanistan," The Huffington Post, December 27, 2007
Facing a barrage of bad news coming out of Afghanistan, U.S. policymakers and military leaders are finally realizing that the mission in Afghanistan is under threat and that more resources, troops, and attention are required immediately. Yet, bogged down and overstretched in Iraq, U.S. officials recognize they can't do it alone and are urging NATO to fill the gaps. They have tried browbeating, cajoling, guilt-tripping, and even cross-Atlantic road shows to convince NATO countries to step up. However, in order for America to be effective in garnering more support, it must first understand why its allies are so reluctant.

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Brian Katulis, "Pakistan Front and Center: Bhutto Assassination Adds to Crisis," Center for American Progress, December 27, 2007
The assassination today of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a top opposition leader, by a suicide bomber on the eve of a crucial parliamentary election early next month means the United States will have to step up pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to track down those responsible for Bhutto's murder and to truly hold free and fair elections.

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CNN - Joseph Cirincione discusses one possible explanation behind the Iranian naval vessel incident this week. "It could actually be a provocation. There could be some elements of the Revolutionary Guard that want to provoke a conflict with the United States. This could be part of a political strategy by Ahmadinejad, who's got some contested parliamentary elections coming up in March, and for him, a conflict with the U.S. works to buoy his political fortunes. "

CNN- P.J. Crowley critiques the Bush administration's record on the Middle East over the past two terms.  "[Bush] walked away from the peace process, he put it at arm's length and has largely kept it there for seven years."

AFP - Brian Katulis says that in the wake of the assassination, the United States must position itself as a compassionate partner to Pakistan to win the support of the people. "Pakistanis don't have a lot of love for the United States, and the tepid response of the Bush administration to imposition of emergency rule (by Musharraf in November) created fewer friends for us."

CNN - Joseph Cirincione assesses the significance of North Korea missing its deadline to release details of its nuclear program.  "This is not a big deal. The momentum is still very positive, the reactor has been shut down and disabled; the disablement will proceed over the next 100 days and could then move into permanent dismantlement."