If Egypt can make the transition to democracy, it will lead the way to a new era for the Arab world. If Cairo falls back to dictatorship of one variety or another, it is unlikely the rest of the region will move on without it.
Egypt’s proposed constitutional amendments would help constrain the near-absolute powers granted to the president by the 1971 constitution and enable a new constitution to be written after the legislative elections.
In the past 20 years, there has been a major, and positive, turnaround in the Russo-Turkish bilateral relationship.
Putin’s Russia—which raised living standards, increased political apathy, and led to sovereign democracy—is over. As parliamentary and presidential elections approach, long-simmering social, economic, and political disputes are spilling into the open, and public politics are returning to the fore.
While the fall of Western-oriented Arab governments may appear to be a blow to Washington and a boon for Tehran, the expectation that Iran will fill the Middle East power vacuum is short-sighted.
Syria’s persistent refusal to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over allegations of covert nuclear activities remains a source of tension, but political considerations make it unlikely that the IAEA will take any actions that might escalate the conflict.
Low fuel prices and a lack of government incentives have hindered energy efficiency improvements in the Russian auto industry, but greening the country's vehicles is a necessary precursor to further economic modernization.
As Congress debates where and how much to cut the budget, distinct guideposts for investment in the U.S. infrastructure can be used to end wasteful spending and foster long-term economic growth.
After years of insecurity, instability, unemployment, and increasing corruption across the political spectrum, Iraqis are turning to democratic protest to make their voices heard.
Although Russians are closely watching the demonstrations and regime changes taking place across the Middle East and North Africa, it is the situation in Central Asia that is more likely to affect Russia in the long run.
The absence of a coherent and disciplined communications strategy by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is one of the main factors contributing to the current political crisis in Lebanon.
After stagnating for decades, economic growth in Africa has accelerated, but maintaining this rapid growth is far from guaranteed. Policy makers must build on past successes and tackle tough reforms before the world’s poorest continent can make sustained economic progress.
Russia’s economic performance exceeded expectations in 2010, but inflation continues to worry policy makers. While they are attempting to curb rising prices, they are avoiding other necessary reforms for fear of inciting protests as elections approach.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula now poses the greatest single terrorist threat to the United States—a greater danger even than al-Qaeda’s senior leadership.
The Kremlin’s reliance on ethnic clan structures to govern the North Caucasus has only maintained and intensified the deep inequalities plaguing the society in the region.
Proposed amendments to Egypt’s constitution meet some longstanding opposition and civil society demands but may also create new uncertainties.
The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood faces the challenge of converting selected parts of a movement with a broad social, religious, and political set of agendas into a more narrowly focused political party.
While the United States has expressed its desire to enhance strategic stability with China, there needs to be a better understanding of how China perceives America’s nuclear posture.
In both the West Bank and Gaza, security sector rebuilding and restructuring occurs without democratic governance and a constitutional order, which threatens not only the region's long-term security but also the ability to achieve Palestinian statehood.
In spite of the massive popular protests that have swept away two Arab strongmen and shaken half a dozen monarchies and republics, the Arab world has yet to witness any fundamental change in ruling elites and even less in the nature of governance.