A sweeping account of Egypt in the modern era: what Egypt is, what it stands for, and its relation to the world.

Experts from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution propose a new, nonpartisan Middle East strategy drawing on the lessons of past failures to address both the short- and long-term challenges to U.S. interests.

A critical examination of how the legacies of military control in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey affect political development in these countries, highlighting the often-overlooked difficulties of promoting democratic change in military-dominated political systems.

Steven A. Cook says the Turkish model of military rule is wrong for Egypt.

There is little doubt Prime Minister Erdogan's AKP party will retain power in Turkey's June 12 elections. The focus will be on whether he uses his mandate to consolidate Turkish democracy under a new liberal constitution, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

Steven A. Cook argues that Egypt's leaders must ensure the prosecution of Hosni Mubarak does not distract from the need to address the country's bigger problem: its increasingly dire economic condition.

The recent speeches by President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu haven't advanced prospects for peace, which are crippled by disagreements over core issues and mistrust between U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian leaders, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

President Obama's Mideast speech included more assertive language in support of self-determination and a detailed outline of terms for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. CFR's Elliott Abrams, Robert Danin, and Steven A. Cook assess the impact of the speech.

Steven A. Cook discusses the implications of President Obama's upcoming speech on the Middle East.

Steven A. Cook says fear of the transforming political landscape is bringing together strange bedfellows in the Middle East.

Steven A. Cook argues that at a moment of unprecedented change in the Middle East, Turkey is falling far short of being a regional leader.

Steven Cook, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, expects that bin Laden's death will not have a significant impact on al-Qaeda or organizations like it. Extremist activity targeting countries in the Middle East and the United States is likely to continue, says Cook.

Osama bin Laden's death is a real and symbolic blow to al-Qaeda, and its stature in the Middle East is already diminished by the pro-democracy movements in the region, but the group remains lethal. Seven CFR experts discuss.

Most Arabs are eager to embrace open political systems, but in the aftermath of bin Laden's death, his sympathizers could try to fill a vacuum of weak leadership in places like Yemen, and even Syria and Libya, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

Steven A. Cook warns that as violence worsens in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria, dreams of a democratic Middle East may be more of a nightmare in the short run.

Steven A. Cook argues that Egypt's youth groups must unite and participate in building a new Egypt, in order not to waste their efforts over the past two months.

Egypt's constitutional referendum passed in the country's fairest polls in decades, but concern persists over the ability of non-democratic forces to gain the advantage in the next parliamentary and presidential elections, says CFR's Steven Cook.

Steven A. Cook argues, "Obama must resist the urge to help Egyptian democrats - unless they demand it."

The military leadership now running Egypt emerged from two weeks of anti-government protests with its reputation intact, but it has yet to prove commitment to the reforms demanded by the public, writes CFR's Steven Cook.

Egypt's protests put it on the threshold of dramatic change but a range of factors, including the role of the military, will have a critical bearing on the outcome of the crisis, says CFR's Steven Cook.

Steven A. Cook says the United States, in the wake of the uprisings in Egypt, must accomodate itself to the realities of a changed Middle East and not try to change it.

Steven A. Cook comments on what the protests in Egypt can achieve.

Steven A. Cook analyzes the Tunisian military's next steps in the wake of the uprising.