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Spencer P. Boyer

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Mr. Obama Goes to Moscow Article

Mr. Obama Goes to Moscow

Today, President Barack Obama arrives in Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev, for a three-day summit. It will be their first face-to-face exchange since meeting in London in early April, when Obama was in Europe for the G-20 and NATO summits. After a frosty U.S.-Russian relationship during most of President George W. Bush’s term in office, this summit offers an opportunity to show Russia and the rest of the world that the new U.S. administration is serious about making a fresh start and is willing to put some substance behind that much-talked-about “reset button.”

Spencer P. Boyer

Obama’s Perfect Pitch on Iran Article

Obama’s Perfect Pitch on Iran

President Obama, who expressed doubt about the legitimacy of the elections and has strongly condemned the violence, unfortunately must battle criticism on two fronts: from the Iranian government, who accuses him of meddling, and from conservative critics, who say he’s not doing enough.

Spencer P. Boyer

The New Integration Crusade Article

The New Integration Crusade

The Obama administration has signaled its intention to begin discussions on comprehensive immigration reform over the coming year; crucial to that debate will be the sister issue of integration.

Spencer P. Boyer

Learning from Each Other Report
An English instructor reacts at a selection Artemio Salvador of Guatemala, right, makes during his class in Forest, MS. Immigrants face many challenges beyond learning English, and a federal office is needed to coordinate these challenges across agencies. (AP/Rogelio Solis)

Learning from Each Other

Report from Spencer Boyer discusses what the United States and Europe can learn from each other when it comes to integrating immigrant and minority groups into their larger societies.

Spencer P. Boyer

Pride and Providence Article
President Barack Obama gestures as he takes a question from the media during his news conference at the NATO Summit in Strasbourg, France, April 4, 2009. President Obama recognizes that many countries are unique and exceptional and can make important contributions, but our best chance at success is to marshal these forces into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. (AP/Charles Dharapak)

Pride and Providence

President Obama wants to restore American global leadership to its post-WWII bearings, write Spencer P. Boyer and Ken Gude. That’s exceptional.

Spencer P. Boyer, Ken Gude

Talking Turkey Article
President Barack Obama should use his upcoming visit to Turkey to push forward on several issues involving Turkey and the region. Above, Turkish President Abdullah Gul. (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Talking Turkey

President Obama’s trip offers an opening to revive the U.S.-Turkish alliance, according to Spencer P. Boyer and Brian Katulis.

Spencer P. Boyer, Brian Katulis

Mr. Obama in London Article

Mr. Obama in London

If there were ever a time for the average American to pay close attention to a president’s trip to an international summit, this would be it. Hopefully, this week’s G-20 summit in London will help to turn around the ailing global economy, but also, it may remind the American people—understandably preoccupied with domestic economic woes—that we’re all in this economic mess together.

Obama’s European Listening Tour Article

Obama’s European Listening Tour

At the 45th Munich conference on security policy in February, vice-president Joe Biden reminded America's European allies that the United States is ready to listen again. Referring to President Barack Obama's strategic review of US policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan in advance of Nato's 60th anniversary summit, Biden noted: "We seek ideas and input from you and all of our partners."

Pakistan is Closer Than You Think Article

Pakistan is Closer Than You Think

Now that the inaugural celebrations are over, we’ve moved into that difficult phase of the presidency called governing. To say that President Barack Obama faces unprecedented challenges is practically an understatement. At the very least, he faces greater challenges than any president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. On the international front alone, he must grapple with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a global financial meltdown, a sullied American reputation, an explosive situation in the Middle East, an aggressive Russia and a defiant Iran. And those are only a few of the more urgent items.

Spencer P. Boyer, Spencer P. Boyer

The Neglected Alliance Report
A Turkish seapolice boat, left, stands next to the Ottoman era Ortakoy mosque and the Bosporus bridge which ties Europe and Asia in Istanbul, Turkey. (AP/Murad Sezer)

The Neglected Alliance

In a new report, Spencer Boyer and Brian Katulis detail how to restore U.S.-Turkish relations to meet new challenges.

Spencer P. Boyer, Brian Katulis

Why Russia Can’t Be Ignored Article

Why Russia Can’t Be Ignored

The international conflict between Russia and Georgia over the status of Georgia's breakaway territory of South Ossetia rightly brought about hand-wringing from a war-weary international community. The crisis has already caused a humanitarian catastrophe in which thousands have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced in and around South Ossetia.

Spencer P. Boyer

Why Turkey Made the Right Decision Article
Hasim Kilic, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, center, announces the court's decision at a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 30, 2008. (AP/Burhan Ozbilici)

Why Turkey Made the Right Decision

The Constitutional Court's decision not to disband the Justice and Development Party will show the world it's serious about democracy, write Boyer and Katulis.

Spencer P. Boyer, Brian Katulis

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