Greg Craig reprised his role as John McCain in Obama's debate preparations. CBS News, October 7.

Randy Scheunemann disputed Obama advisor Michael McFaul's claim that McCain's foreign policy intends to "isolate" Russia. Bloomberg, October 8.

Lindsey Graham predicted more character politics in the debate last night. LA Times, October 7.

Who will be secretary of state in the new administration? If it's Obama, CQ thinks Susan Rice, Richard Holbrooke and Bill Richardson are in the running. If McCain prevails, the job might be filled by Joe Lieberman, James Woolsey or John Negroponte. Congressional Quarterly, October 5.

Randy Scheunemann has been in cleanup mode, clarifying a statement made by Sarah Palin about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He stated the McCain-Palin ticket won't allow Iran to develop nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. Washington Post, October 6.

Barack Obama senior foreign-policy advisor Greg Craig told EU Observer that if Obama were elected he would not trade Eastern European security for Russian help on Iran. euobserver.com, October 5.

Jake Tapper cites a report that McCain foreign-policy advisor Richard Fontaine touted McCain's former Brazilian girlfriend as evidence of his Latin America experience. He then later said it was "a bad attempt at humor." Political Punch, October 4.

Richard Danzig, one of Obama's top national-security advisors, doesn't think defense spending will decrease in the first years of a potential Obama presidency. Wall Street Journal, October 3.

The British ambassador to the United States sent a letter to his prime minister, Gordon Brown, in July 2008 analyzing Barack Obama's policies and personality. He pointed to the clear tension between neocons and realists on McCain's team, while explaining rifts on the Obama side are less visible, but still there. There is, he wrote, "a potential fault line [in the Obama camp] between progressives like Tom Daschle, Susan Rice and Samantha Power on the one hand and the more pragmatic advisers on the other (Nunn, Hamilton, Danzig, Brzezinski). Tony Lake hovers between the two." Telegraph, October 2.

Preparations for tonight's vice-presidential debate are well under way. Randy Scheunemann has been playing Biden for Palin. Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm has been filling in for Palin in Biden's debate camp. Newsweek, October 2.

What would the Palin Doctrine be? She seems to have taken well to McCain's stances, including Randy Scheunemann's advocacy of hard-line approaches to Iran and Russia. Washington Post, October 1.

Palin's foreign-policy adviser Steve Biegun defended her international experience, adding "Governors don't have the same opportunities or the same responsibilities that senators have. They're different, but they're not inferior." Newsweek, October 1.

Sarah Palin's debate preparation continues at John McCain's Arizona ranch. The all star lineup of foreign policy advisors helping to hone her message for Thursday's debate includes Randy Scheunemann, Mark Wallace and Steve Biegun. Scheunemann is pretending to be Joe Biden during practice sessions, while Biegun is busy defending comments Palin made during her recent interview with Katie Couric. Fox News and New York Daily News, September 30.

While these McCain groupies are focusing on Sarah Palin's diction and annunciation, Max Boot has been writing-contributing an essay on the resiliency of the American economy to a New York Times segment on the financial crisis. Editor and Publisher, September 30.

James Woolsey is reminding voters that Republicans care about the environment too. He detailed John McCain's carbon dioxide reduction plan, which includes the further development of plug-in hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles in the next few years. Science News, October 11 issue.

How would the campaigns' foreign-policy advisors fit into their candidate's presidency? John Kerry might be trying for secretary of state, but Susan Rice looks like the real pick. But she'd rather take the national-security advisor position. She might have to fight James Steinberg for that spot. When it comes to McCain, Joe Lieberman and Richard Armitage will probably duke it out to be secretary of defense, though Lindsey Graham could shake that up. Randy Scheuenmann could be McCain's national-security advisor. The Washingtonian, September 29.

Sarah Palin is prepping for her debate at John McCain's place in Arizona. Mark Wallace and Steve Biegun have been helping her get ready for Biden. Fox News, September 29.

Friday's debate dominated foreign-policy news Monday, with varying perceptions of the candidate's performances. Obama's performance can in part be credited to Greg Craig, his coach throughout his half-week debate prep. Chicago Tribune, September 29.

Craig lauded his student, as did the foreign press. The Guardian, September 29.

Apparently Greg Craig as John McCain has been keeping Barack Obama on his toes during debate prep. He should, he's done this before, standing in as George Bush for John Kerry back in 2004. Newsweek, September 26.

Obama's debate team-including Greg Craig, Susan Rice and Mark Lippert-is waiting for him in Memphis, Mississippi, prepped and ready should tonight's showdown actually go down. New York Times, September 25.

McCain advisor Lindsey Graham said it's more important for his candidate to help solve the financial crisis than debate foreign policy. Fox News, September 25.

Obama's "best and brightest" foreign-policy team includes Mark Lippert, seasoned aide and veteran of a tour in Iraq, Ben Rhodes, national-security speechwriter with the 9/11 Commission and Iraq Study Group on his resumé, and Dennis Ross, head Middle East negotiator under Bush Sr. and Clinton, among others. Reuters, September 24.

Prepping hard for tomorrow's debate, Obama's been in Florida reviewing old McCain tapes and sparring with adviser Greg Craig. Mark Salter and Charlie Black have been throwing questions at McCain as he's gone about his normal campaign schedule. CNN, September 24.

Palin's tour of world leaders is still going strong. Adviser Steve Biegun said the president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, was particularly interested in what Palin had to say. Houston Chronicle, September 24.

There isn't much new blood on the McCain and Obama foreign-policy and national-security teams. If you're trying to tell them apart, McCain's cadre is more hawkish and tied to this administration, while Obama's harkens back to the liberal interventionist doves of the Clinton years. A laundry list of names comes courtesy of Fox News. September 24.

Obama believes in the UN and in Russia being a responsible part of the international community, says his top foreign-policy advisor, Susan Rice. Bloomberg, September 23.

Taking advantage of the UN General Assembly ceremony, Sarah Palin's getting a crash course in dealing with world leaders. Stephen Biegun and Randy Scheunemann will be by her side as she meets Saakashvili, Karzai, Talabani, Zardari and more. Washington Post, September 22.

Sarah Palin has a web of Bush/McCain insiders surrounding her. Stephen Biegun, an old member of Bush's NSC, is playing a central role. Washington Post, September 22.

To help his candidate prepare for Friday's foreign-policy debate, Greg Craig will be channeling John McCain. Wall Street Journal, September 22.

Obama's foreign-policy advisors Anthony Lake, Susan Rice and Greg Craig question the wisdom of putting missile-defense systems in Poland. Deutsche Welle, September 19.

Randy Scheunemann has been clarifying McCain's stance on Spain after the candidate wouldn't say for sure whether he'd meet with Prime Minister Zapatero if elected president-and seemed to think the head of government was from Latin America. LA Times and Boston Globe, September 19.

John McCain is often John McCain's top foreign-policy advisor, though he's surrounded himself with veteran neocons and a few realists. Obama's advisors "tend to be young" like Susan Rice, who will probably be national-security advisor if her candidate wins. The Independent, September 19.

The Senate passed an extensive defense bill yesterday. One of the eight voting against the bill was McCain's close advisor, Lindsey Graham. IHT, September 18.

Palin's kept mum when it comes to Iran. But one of her advisors, Mark Wallace, a former U.S. rep for UN management and reform in the Bush administration, is the executive director of United Against a Nuclear Iran, an organization that draws from both campaigns-Obama advisor Richard Holbrooke is a co-chair. Washington Post - The Trail, September 17.

Democrats, including Pelosi, have helped to push an offshore drilling bill-albeit a tamer version-forward in the House. There are still fears the effort could be thwarted by McCain advisor Lindsey Graham and company. Time, September 17.

MoveOn targets McCain's lobbyist friends in an ad, pointing the finger at top foreign-policy advisor Randy Scheunemann among others. Washington Post - The Trail, September 16.

Pat Buchanan wonders if the neocons who drove Bush's policy will hurt Sarah Palin, too. Palin is being tutored by Randy Scheunemann and Stephen Biegun. San Francisco Chronicle, September 16.

It's been suggested that Obama didn't want the Bush administration to negotiate a deal with the Iraqi government about drawing troops down. McCain advisor Randy Scheunemann said Obama had committed an "egregious act." New York Post, September 16.