Politics & Policy : Parallels U.S. policy can change the course of another country and, increasingly, the reverse is true. From social issues to geopolitical strategy, we connect the dots — and seek out possible lessons for the future.
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Gina Haspel (in white), the nominee to lead the CIA, is welcomed at her confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. (seated), and Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., in Washington on May 9. The committee voted 10-5 on Wednesday to recommend Haspel's confirmation by the full Senate. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption
Senate Panel Approves Gina Haspel As CIA Chief; Confirmation Appears Likely
Gina Haspel, the nominee to be CIA director, testifies at a Senate intelligence committee hearing on May 9. Haspel now appears to have enough Senate support to win confirmation. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption
Former CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden delivers remarks on national security at the National Academy of Sciences in October. Hayden is among a growing number of former intelligence officials who are now speaking out regularly in retirement. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption
Gina Haspel, an undercover CIA officer for three decades, has been nominated to become director of the spy agency. Several senators say they will be asking tough questions about her role in the CIA's waterboarding program that began after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. CIA via AP hide caption
Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo answers questions during his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 12. Pompeo traveled to North Korea for a secret meeting with President Kim Jong Un at the beginning of the month. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks at the Pentagon Monday. The military received a big boost in funding last week, raising the overall budget to $700 billion this year. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption
CIA Director Mike Pompeo speaks in Washington in January. The spy agency has become more open and active in recruiting staff, with the aim of greater diversity. Even Pompeo encourages job applications in his public remarks. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption
Soviet aviators with their American colleagues in front of a version of the PBY Catalina aircraft in Elizabeth City, N.C. The U.S. trained Soviet pilots to fly the plane as part of Project Zebra, a secret military program during World War II. Courtesy M.G. Crisci hide caption
South Koreans at a railway station in Seoul watch a news report showing President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on March 9. Trump agreed the day before to a historic first meeting with Kim. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Gina Haspel, an undercover CIA officer for three decades, has been nominated to become director of the spy agency. Several senators say they will be asking tough questions about her role in the CIA's waterboarding program that began after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. AP via CIA hide caption
Mike Pompeo has been a leading critic of the nuclear deal with Iran and has said the U.S. would not soften its stance on North Korea ahead of planned talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption
Mike Pompeo: A Soldier, Spy Chief And Tea Party Republican To Become A Diplomat
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman presents the book The Art of the Deal to North Korea's Sports Minister Kim Il Guk last June in Pyongyang, North Korea. Until this week, Rodman was believed to be the only person who had met both Kim and the U.S. president. Kim Kwang Hyon/AP hide caption
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, heads to a meeting of the Russia's Central Election commission in December. Officials formally barred him Alexei Navalny from running for president in the March 18 election, which he says is a predetermined sham. Evgeny Feldman/AP hide caption
CIA Director Mike Pompeo spoke Tuesday at the American Enterprise Institute about the daily briefing he provides to President Trump most mornings at the White House. He pushed back against reports that Trump is not engaged. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption
President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to continue to square off in 2018. Evan Vucci, Wong Maye-E/AP hide caption
Rahul Gandhi (center), the new president of the Indian National Congress, waves while being garlanded during a political rally at Chilloda village on Nov. 11. Gandhi takes over the party leadership this week from his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who steps down after nearly two decades as the head of the party the Nehru-Gandhi family has dominated for 70 years. Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Authorities have given residents in Jiugong Township of Beijing, many of whom are migrant laborers, just days to clear out before they shut off all electricity and water. Anthony Kuhn/NPR hide caption
Lawmakers in the Kumamoto Municipal Assembly talk with member Yuka Ogata, who brought her infant son to work. The Asahi Shimbun/The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag hide caption
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addresses supporters at his party headquarters on Nov. 8. Jekesai Njikizana/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
A "comfort woman" statue is placed on a bus seat to mark the 5th International Memorial Day for Comfort Women in Seoul in August. Ahn Young-joon/AP hide caption
'Comfort Woman' Memorial Statues, A Thorn In Japan's Side, Now Sit On Korean Buses
Supporters of Saad Hariri hold up placards demanding his return from Saudi Arabia at the starting line of Beirut's annual marathon on Sunday. Rumors have swirled that he is being held in Saudi Arabia against his will. Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
After Lebanese Leader's TV Appearance, Doubts Grow About His Future — And Lebanon's
Asian leaders and President Trump pose for a photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Manila on Monday. Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Last summer, South Koreans left messages of their sexual harassment and assaults on Post-it notes at an exit of Gangnam subway station. Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images hide caption