Confirmations of Barack Obama's Cabinet

Obama proposes series of changes to rules governing NSA surveillance

Global Politics

President Barack Obama met the media on Friday and started the Q&A session with a series of proposals for changes to the rules and laws that govern the NSA surveillance program. It’s unclear, at this stage, whether these changes, fairly modest in nature, will quiet the outcry that has been brewing.

Advocates criticize Obama’s second-term cabinet picks for lack of diversity

Global Politics

Obama’s national security advisor

Global Politics

The Issues at Hand: How Will Kerry Change Foreign Policy?

U.S.-China Relations in Obama’s Second Term

Advice for Obama as He Transitions to His Second Term

President Obama won reelection on Tuesday night, granting him another four years in the White House. As he transitions from his first term to his second, the president will likely make some personnel changes. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, repeatedly, that she will retire from her post at the end of 2012, and […]

The Future of US-China Relations

President Obama had some harsh words for Chinese authorities during his state of the union address last January: “I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules,” he said. “We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last Administration, and it’s made a difference.” The tough […]

The World

The Idiot’s Guide to vetting a cabinet nominee

Global Politics

Bill Richardson, Tom Daschle, Nancy Kilefer, Tim Geithner, and now Hilda Solis. Does President Obama have a vetting problem? To answer that question we are joined by Kenneth Gross, a vetting expert who worked with President Bill Clinton.

The World

President-elect Obama’s foreign policy shift

Global Politics

The Takeaway talks with New York Times reporter David Sanger, who wrote the front page article in today’s Times, ‘A Handpicked Team for a Foreign Policy Shift,’ about Obama’s national security priorities and security team choices.

The World

Transitioning from transition team to White House staff

Global Politics

‘Obama is not really interested in taking risks right now — the economy is too precarious. He’s reaching out to people who are known performers.’ –Jodi Kantor, speaking about President-elect Obama’s transition team )