CFR.org - Testimony

Prospects for Afghanistan’s 2014 Election

Max Boot — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:45:20 -0400

In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs, Max Boot discusses the future of Afghanistan after U.S. troops withdraw in 2014, and outlines modest steps President Obama can take to prevent a civil war and possible return to Taliban rule.

Geopolitical Consequences of U.S. Natural Gas Exports

Michael A. Levi — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:35:07 -0400

In his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, Michael A. Levi discusses the geopolitical consequences of a Department of Energy decision on liquid natural gas exports; the geopolitical consequences of exports themselves; and steps that the United States could take domestically to increase support for liquid natural gas exports.

The Sources of Iranian Conduct

Ray Takeyh — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:26:11 -0400

In his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa, Ray Takeyh discusses Iran's political history and how it influences the Islamic Republic's commitment to its nuclear program and radical ties.

A Pakistani Strategic Shift?

Daniel Markey — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:00:35 -0400

In his testimony before the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Daniel S. Markey describes evidence of a strategic shift by Pakistan that could lead to improved cooperation with the United States.

U.S. Energy Security: Enhancing Partnerships with Mexico and Canada

Michael A. Levi — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:30:31 -0400

In his testimony before the House Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere and House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Michael A. Levi explains how partnerships with Canada and Mexico can help the United States to effectively pursue energy-related goals.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Border Enforcement

Edward Alden — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:00:59 -0400

Edward Alden testifies before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on how Congress and the Obama administration can use data to improve the effectiveness of border enforcement policies and tactics.

Drones and the War on Terror: When Can the U.S. Target Alleged American Terrorists Overseas?

John B. Bellinger III — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:00:42 -0500

John B. Bellinger III testifies before the House Committee on the Judiciary on the legal and policy issues that stem from the use of lethal force by the U.S. government against American citizens abroad.

Demonstrations in Tahrir Square: Two Years Later, What Has Changed?

Elliott Abrams — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:00:59 -0500

In his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Elliott Abrams argues that the timing, conditionality and composition of U.S. aid to Egypt should be re-examined in light of governance issues that have stalled its progress toward democracy.

Israel's Right to Defend Itself: Implications on Regional Security and U.S. Interests

Elliott Abrams — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:00:16 -0500

In his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elliott Abrams argues that the recent conflict in Gaza brings forth the need to review regional developments and their effect on U.S. interests—both locally at the Israeli-Palestinian level, and at the broader regional level that includes Iran.

Safeguarding Israel’s Security in a Volatile Region

Elliott Abrams — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:05:05 -0400

In his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Elliott Abrams argues that continued military and intelligence cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, improved political relationships, and a strong American policy which ensures the development of stable democracies in Arab Spring nations is critical to Israel's security.

The Future of Special Operations Forces

Linda Robinson — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:36:51 -0400

In her testimony before the House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Linda Robinson details how U.S. Special Operations Forces can be restructured to better confront global challenges.

Chronic Kleptocracy: Corruption Within the Palestinian Political Establishment

Elliott Abrams — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:58:59 -0400

In his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, Elliott Abrams argues that "corruption is an insidious destroyer not only of Palestinian public finance but of faith in the entire political system."

Afghan National Security Forces: Resources, Strategy, and Timetable for Security Lead Transition

Max Boot — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:21:21 -0400

In a testimony before the House Committee on Armed Services, Max Boot explains that the signing of a U.S.-Afghan Security Partnership Accord in April and the Chicago Summit Declaration in May alleviated some of the uncertainty about the post-2014 period—but only some. The nature and extent of that commitment remain opaque, and that in turn feeds anxiety in Afghanistan, contributes to capital flight, buoys the confidence of our enemies, and leads many Afghans to sit on the fence for fear of joining the losing side.

The Law of the Sea Convention

John B. Bellinger III — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:00:44 -0400

In his testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, John Bellinger argues that the Law of the Sea Convention is beneficial to the United States military, especially during a time of armed conflict, because it provides clear treaty-based navigational rights for our Navy, Coast Guard, and aircraft.

Sanctions: Strategy, Implementation and Enforcement

Ray Takeyh — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:37:36 -0400

In his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives, Ray Takeyh discusses the conflicting priorities of Iran's Supreme Leader. Khamenei needs America as an enemy and a robust nuclear infrastructure to legitimize his rule. Yet, these enmities only further erode his economy and potentially threaten his hold on power.

Moving Forward on Visa Policy

Edward Alden — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:31 -0400

In his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives, Edward Alden argues that the United States needs a broader package of legislation that includes expanding the Visa Waiver Program and encourages more efficient visa security screening.

NATO: Chicago and Beyond

Charles A. Kupchan — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:06:22 -0400

Charles A. Kupchan testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and what's at stake in the upcoming Chicago summit.

North Korea’s Missiles, Nukes, and False Promises: How to Respond?

Scott A. Snyder — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:00:10 -0400

In his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Scott Snyder argues that the United States should redouble its efforts to shape North Korea's strategic environment rather than try to identify the right combination of carrots and sticks to be used in a negotiation with Pyongyang.

China’s Global Quest for Resources and Implications for the United States

Elizabeth C. Economy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:27 -0500

China's search for food and land in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, reflects the country's pressing scarcity of water. China's approach has set off alarm bells in the region and the United States should work actively to address China's water security needs, argues Elizabeth Economy before the House U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

The United States, China, and the Globalization of Science and Technology

Adam Segal — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:18:42 -0400

As the United States manages its relationship with China on science and technology, Adam Segal argues that the United States will have to maintain its scientific strength at home, while pressuring China on its mercantilist technology policies.

Promoting Peace? Reexamining U.S. Aid to the Palestinian Authority

Elliott Abrams — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:01:50 -0400

With the upcoming vote at the United Nations on Palestinian statehood, Elliott Abrams urges Congress to reexamine the U.S. aid program to the Palestinian Authority in his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Indefensible Budget Cuts

Max Boot — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:00:52 -0400

In his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Max Boot argues that the impact of budget cuts has the potential to devastate our armed forces and do more damage to their fighting capacity than any other external foe.

Fulfilling Treaty Obligations and Protecting Americans Abroad

John B. Bellinger III — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:00:39 -0400

John B. Bellinger III testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the practical benefits that enactment of the Consular Notification Compliance Act of 2011 will have for Americans who are detained and imprisoned by other countries.

Massacre at Camp Ashraf: Implications for U.S. Policy

Ray Takeyh — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:04:16 -0400

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Ray Takeyh says that mutual antipathy to the presence of the Iranian opposition party Mujahidin-i Khalq in Iraq is the one issue that has brought Tehran and Baghdad together.

Evaluating the Reset: Is It Time for a Pause?

Stephen Sestanovich — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:28:16 -0400

Stephen Sestanovich testifies before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee that, though the U.S. and Russia restored broadly cooperative ties after 2008, the relationship is marked by lingering frustration and even friction.

Economic and Fiscal Conditions

Peter R. Orszag — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:56:48 -0400

In remarks prepared for a postponed Senate Committee on Finance hearing, Peter Orszag argues that the U.S. must address both the weak labor market and an unsustainable fiscal path over the medium and long term.

Preserving Progress: Transitioning Authority and Implementing the Strategic Framework in Iraq

Max Boot — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:30:29 -0400

Max Boot testifies before the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia on the future of the U.S. relationship with Iraq.

Chinese Technology Policy and American Innovation

Adam Segal — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:58:03 -0400

Adam Segal testifies before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China's technology policies and argues that while the long-term impact is uncertain, the United States must push back against them to maintain its comparative advantage.

Derivatives Clearinghouses: Opportunities and Challenges

Benn Steil — Wed, 25 May 2011 09:30:44 -0400

Benn Steil testifies before the Senate on the importance of regulatory reforms to make U.S. markets more resilient to the failures of individual financial institutions. He argues that well capitalized and regulated central derivatives clearinghouses have historically provided the best example of successful "safe-fail" risk management in the derivatives industry.

The Secure Visas Act

Edward Alden — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:30:08 -0400

Edward Alden testifies before the House Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement. He warns that unnecessary visa delays damage the United States' reputation as a country that champions fairness and due process.