February 25, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. In this Issue: Libya's Leadership Crossroads Iran's Protests and Economic Realities Managing the World's Dollar Dependency Libya's Leadership Crossroads It's unclear whether Muammar Qaddafi's regime will survive after a failed, but brutal, crackdown on protesters in Libya. But if Qaddafi goes, CFR's Robert Danin says Libya lacks the elements needed for a smooth and peaceful transition of power. Read more Op-ed: "Obama's Pathetic Response to Libya" by Elliott Abrams (Weekly Standard) Op-ed: "Are the Mideast Revolutions Bad for Women?" by Isobel Coleman (Washington Post) Foreign Affairs: "Transformation in the Middle East - Comparing the Uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and Bahrain" by Robert Pelletreau Op-ed: "Prepare Now for a Saudi Oil Price Shock" by Michael Levi (Financial Times) Op-ed: "Watch Out, Mr. President" by Leslie Gelb (The Daily Beast) CFR experts on the Middle East For continuously updated coverage on the Middle East visit our Issue Guide to the Arab World Protests Iran's Protests and Economic Realities In contrast to other Mideast states, economic pressures are less likely to topple Iran's regime, says Suzanne Maloney. Stronger repressive forces and the impact of international sanctions may strengthen the government, she argues. Read more Working Paper: "Limiting Iranian Nuclear Activities - Options and Consequences" by Michael Levi Op-ed: "The U.S. Must Empower the Green Movement" by Ray Takeyh (Washington Post) Foreign Affairs: "The War Over Containing Iran - Can a Nuclear Iran Be Stopped" Analysis Brief: How Iran sees Egypt's protests Foreign Affairs: "Green Movement 2.0? How U.S. Support Could Lead the Opposition to Victory" by Geneive Abdo CFR experts on Iran Managing the World's Dollar Dependency In a new Policy Innovation Memorandum, Moritz Schularick examines the U.S. dollar's unique reserve-currency status and recommends mechanisms to discourage imprudent reserve accumulation. Read more Foreign Affairs: "American Profligacy and American Power" by Richard Haass and Roger Altman Op-ed: "Good Riddance DB Pensions" by Benn Steil (Financial News) Working Paper: "How Dangerous is U.S. Government Debt - The Risk of a Sudden Spike in U.S. Interest Rates" by Francis Warnock Foreign Affairs: "Currencies Aren't the Problem - Fix Domestic Policy, Not Exchange Rates" by Raghuram Rajan, University of Chicago Interactive: Crisis Guide - The Global Economy CFR experts on Economics   This Week on CFR's YouTube Channel Mideast expert Vali Nasr compares Egypt's 2011 uprising to Iran's 1979 revolution and Green Movement; Economist Dambisa Moyo discusses U.S. economic leadership, China's rise, and developments in the Middle East; and Carie Lemack, cofounder of the Global Survivors Network, discusses her Oscar-nominated documentary film "Killing in the Name," which highlights the experiences of those affected by terrorism. Watch more videos on CFR's YouTube channel.     New Issue of Foreign Affairs The March/April issue of Foreign Affairs is now online and will hit newsstands on March 1. In this issue: Walter Russell Mead questions what the rise of the Tea Party means for U.S. foreign policy; Thomas Christensen argues that a stronger and more confident China will be for the global good; and Liaquat Ahamed explains how policymakers might avoid the kinds of currency wars that shook world finance in the 1930s. More articles, reading lists, author interviews, and other web-only content can be viewed at www.foreignaffairs.com.     On the CFR Blogs THE WATER'S EDGE Lindsay wraps up the week's U.S. foreign policy news in today's "Friday File." ASIA UNBOUND Elizabeth Economy examines China's handling of the instability in the Middle East. PRESSURE POINTS Elliott Abrams critiques the Obama administration's handling of the UN Security Council resolution on Israeli settlement activity. AFRICA IN TRANSITION John Campbell discusses Ugandan president Museveni's electoral "win." FROM THE POTOMAC TO THE EUPHRATES Steven Cook discusses the Egyptian military's "moment of truth." ENERGY, SECURITY, AND CLIMATE Michael Levi discusses the economic impact of oil price spikes. Read and weigh in on CFR's expert blogs.     EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE:     Regions      Issues      Experts     Publications     About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy The Council on Foreign Relations does not share email addresses with third parties. Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065 Tel. +1 212.434.9400 Fax: +1 212.434.9800