Skip to Main Content

ADVERTISEMENT

Leslie H. Gelb is President Emeritus of the Council of Foreign Relations, a former New York Times columnist and correspondent, and a former senior State and Defense Department official.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Real Reason Obama Did the Iran Deal

THE BIG PLAY

The U.S. allows Tehran to keep its nuclear program with the secret hope that America’s foe will become a friend.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Jul 14, 2015

America’s Losing Russia Strategy

Reset

Confronting Putin isn’t enough to restore peace on Russia’s borders. What’s needed is Détente Plus.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Jul 05, 2015

Obama’s Iran Nuke Deal: Winners & Losers

Reality Check

The pragmatists are triumphant for the moment, but the hawks are circling.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Apr 03, 2015

GOP Hates Obama More Than a Nuclear Iran

SELFISH

By telling Tehran not to negotiate with the president of the United States, the party threatens America’s status as global superpower.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Mar 10, 2015

Time for Obama to Cut a Deal with Assad

Looking for Mr. Good War

If the administration does not come up with a clear plan to defeat the jihadis and end the Syrian war, Congress should not sign on to it.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Jan 22, 2015

Obama’s Last Foreign Policy Chance

Survival at Stake

The failure of Obama or Biden to show up in Paris made clear that most of the president’s team can’t be trusted to conduct U.S national security policy and must be replaced—at once.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Jan 14, 2015

Obama, Heal Thyself

Mirror, Mirror

An old pro decodes the blind quotes and leaks surrounding the turmoil in the White House foreign policy team.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Nov 02, 2014

There’s Only One Way to Beat ISIS

The Obama administration has pulled together a coalition as ineffectual as it is unwilling. It’s time to join up with the forces, however unsavory, that can do the job.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Oct 18, 2014

Digging Out of Our Stupid Sh*t Policy

Expletive Rated

There’s a lot of trash talk at the top (Obama, Hillary, McCain) about what to do in the Middle East. Unfortunately it reflects shoddy leadership at every level.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Aug 13, 2014

Surviving the Mideast Madness

Threat Assessment

The Muslim world’s turned upside down. Washington must forge new alliances to meet the jihadi challenge. One of its partners should be Iran.

Leslie H. Gelb | Published Jul 16, 2014

ADVERTISEMENT