Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade

U.S. Capital

The Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division's work includes analyses of political and economic developments in every region of the world. Experts examine international organizations; economic, political and security relations between the United States and other nations; and transnational issues such as terrorism and refugees. National security analysis includes a focus on military strategy, the U.S. defense budget, weapons systems, military compensation, and bases. Trade analysts assess economic issues, including trade agreements, exports, imports and tariffs.

The Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division is subdivided into seven research sections, each led by a section research manager:

  • Asia — coverage includes
    • U.S. policy and economic, political and security developments across the region
    • East Asia
    • South Asia
    • Southeast Asia
    • Australasia and the Pacific Islands
  • Defense Policy and Arms Control — coverage includes
    • U.S. Armed Forces
    • conventional and nuclear weapons systems
    • weapons of mass destruction
    • proliferation and counter proliferation
    • ballistic missile defense programs
    • military space systems
  • Defense Budget, Manpower and Management — coverage includes
    • authorization and appropriation
    • acquisition policies
    • intelligence
    • military bases
    • military pay and benefits
  • Europe and The Americas — coverage includes
    • political, economic and security developments
    • North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    • Organization of American States
    • European Union
    • Russia and central Asia
  • Foreign Policy Management and Global Issues — coverage includes
    • transnational issues (such as, terrorism, international narcotics and crime and economic sanctions)
    • Department of State
    • human rights
    • international institutions
  • International Trade and Finance — coverage includes
    • bilateral and multilateral trade agreements
    • exchange rates and foreign currency
    • global economic institutions
    • trends involving the U.S. trade deficit, investment and balance of payments
  • Middle East/Africa — coverage includes
    • Middle East peace process
    • conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
    • African conflicts, foreign aid and economic prospects
    • illicit diamond trade

Last Updated: 03/29/2012