National security will be today’s theme at the Democratic National Convention, a day after former presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) called for party unity around the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). Vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) and former President Bill Clinton will speak to the convention this evening.

CFR hosts an expert panel discussion in Denver today on the foreign policy challenges facing the next presidential administration.

RUSSIA: Both Obama and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) condemned Russia’s recognition (Reuters) of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states on Tuesday.

VETERANS: McCain explained his opposition to the recent GI Bill in a speech before the American Legion on Tuesday. The bill “did nothing to retain the young officer and enlisted leaders who form the backbone of our all-volunteer force,” McCain said.