Whenever it confronts the age-old problems of the transfer of power and authority, the United States faces no set of issues more pressing and important that those concerning foreign relations. The Commission, which included representatives of both incoming and outgoing administrations in each of the postwar transitions, examined the impact of changes in administrations and their impact on foreign policy.

New presidents face surprise international crises. So in the primaries, should foreign policy experience matter?

Most presidents struggle in their first year as commander in chief. But Donald Trump got tired of winning before he started.