Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Stalled Out All Over the World

Stalled Out All Over the World

Our Afghan ally lacks legitimacy. The Mideast peace process is stuck. Iran flouts our wishes, and Iraq is falling a...

Posted 10:25 PM | Nov 1, 2009
At Last An Afghan Plan

At Last, An Afghan Plan

Chopper crashes killed 14 Americans in Afghanistan on Monday, ratcheting up pressure on Obama to decide on a surge. L...

Posted 11:12 PM | Oct 25, 2009
How To Win Afghanistan

How To Win Afghanistan

No need for a massive surge of U.S. ground troops-or a complete freeze, either. Leslie H. Gelb sketches out a third...

Posted 10:57 PM | Oct 5, 2009
The Hotspots No Speech Can Fix

The Hotspots No Speech Can Fix

Obama's U.N. speech was fine, but words won't solve much. Leslie H. Gelb's advice to the president: Go slow on Afgh...

Posted 12:42 PM | Sep 23, 2009