A look ahead to 2014 foreign policy

Russian gay rights activist
A gay rights activists takes part in a joint opposition rally called "March against Hatred" in the Russia's second city of St. Petersburg, on November 2, 2013.
OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images

When it comes to foreign policy, 2013 was dominated by international fallout from NSA spying revelations and another round of Middle East peace talks spearheaded by Vice President Joe Biden. What can we expect in 2014?

In 2013, the Obama administration won a rare foreign-policy success with Syria's capitulation over its arsenal of chemical weapons. The president had all but announced plans to attack Syria for its use of such weapons, although he appeared unlikely to receive the congressional support he was seeking. The United States and other nations are now working to find and destroy Syria's stockpile.

Many experts are looking to China to set the tone early in 2014. There's also Russia, which is hoping to gin up its international reputation ahead of the Winter Olympics in February. The year could also prove to be pivotal for Afghanistan, as the United States proceeds with its plans to withdraw troops.

Three foreign policy experts join The Daily Circuit as we look at what lies ahead in 2014.