President-elect Barack Obama's pledge to intensify diplomacy with Iran could change the nature of efforts to prevent Tehran from going nuclear, but talks alone will not guarantee a peaceful resolution.

Passage of security agreements between Washington and Baghdad suggest the United States has moved toward the exit in Iraq, though the path to departure remains unclear.

President-elect Barack Obama has vowed to intensify the war effort in Afghanistan, but experts say beyond military might, victory will require a revived regional role and reformed reconstruction moves.

Barack Obama's wish to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq within sixteen months played well at the polls. But experts suggest his plans may prove hard to implement as Washington's influence in Iraq wanes.

With tension between Russia and Georgia resonating in Turkey, Ankara looks east to expand economic and strategic partnerships.

With Pakistan-U.S.  ties strained, Islamabad looks to its regional ally, China, to guarantee longterm strategic stability. Experts say Pakistan also hopes for a nuclear deal with China to balance the U.S.-India nuclear pact now before the U.S. Congress.

Russia has emerged as a policy issue in the presidential campaign, adding to a list of top-tier issues including energy policy, Iran, and Iraq.

As tensions between Russia and the West mount over the military conflict in Georgia, some analysts worry about the collapse of arms control agreements.

Both parties will use presidential conventions to boost their candidate's credentials on the economy and national security, at a time when both issues overlap.

Immigration reform gets scant mention on the U.S. election trail, but experts expect either leading presidential candidate to make policy reforms a priority.

Russia's offensive in Georgia, traced in part to bitterness over Kosovo's independence, stirs new concern over a chasm between Moscow and the West.

Experts worry Eritrea and Ethiopia could be on the brink of new conflict, potentially enmeshing Eritrea further in the Horn of Africa's many disputes.

Despite the sputtering U.S. economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to dominate debate on the presidential campaign trail.

Pakistan faces increasing pressure to crack down on militants linked to attacks in Afghanistan. Experts urge Western caution in dealing with the tribal areas.

Afghanistan's army and police units are showing signs of improving, but remain unable to operate without coalition assistance.

The presidential primary season ends with the economy uppermost in voters' minds, but national security issues are never far away.

Renewed fighting in South Sudan has experts fearing a civil war that could spiral beyond Sudan's borders.

Recent clashes and a cease-fire in Sadr City highlight the political jockeying and often confusing military skirmishes between Iraqis.

Terrorist attacks in Afghanistan from safe havens across the border in Pakistan increase amid Islamabad's efforts to strike peace with militants.

The promotion of General Petraeus to Centcom chief could have profound implications for Washington's long-term strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan.