Spencer P. Boyer

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Talking Turkey

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

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

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

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.

The Neglected Alliance

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

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.

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.

America’s Immigration Lesson to Europe

Europe's low birthrates pose a serious threat to its economic security, making immigration crucial to its survival.

Diplomacy Isn’t Appeasement

In a show of strength, Nixon and Reagan were willing to talk to the other side and it helped the West win the Cold War.

An Unlikely Threat to Democracy

When Turkey's chief prosecutor brought a lawsuit this spring asking the country's Constitutional Court to close down its governing political party, he set in motion a dangerous chain of events that could undue years of political and economic progress in Turkey.

What Should Have Happened in Bucharest

Earlier this month in Bucharest, NATO lost an opportunity to build upon, and reinforce, an important aspect of its post-Cold War raison d'etre.

The NATO Summit in Bucharest

Afghanistan, missile defense, enlargement, and peacekeeping in Kosovo form a complex agenda for NATO's three-day conference that starts today.

Just to Recap: Ridiculous War, Monumental Mistake

Five years ago, the United States invaded Iraq and set in motion a chain of events that most Americans wish had never been unleashed. While President Bush and Vice President Cheney have been making the rounds to convince a skeptical public that the war has been critical for America's national security interests, their words ring hollow. With 4,000 Americans killed, 30,000 wounded, and over half a trillion dollars spent so far, this unfortunate anniversary is the proper time to step back for a reality check.

NATO: Expansion and Division

Putting countries on a path toward membership is good for security interests write Spencer Boyer and James Lamond; ambassador refutes claims.

Russia’s False Choice

Russia's choice between full democracy and stability is a false one, writes Spencer Boyer on The Root.

Kosovo: What’s at Stake?

The Ban on Head Scarves Had to Go

Shutter This Death Trap

The NATO Divide: Why the United States and NATO Aren’t on the Same Page in Afghanistan