The April 2012 update of the U.S. Department of Defense's "Report on Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" covers the period from October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

Victoria Taylor discusses Tunisians' attempts to reconcile the role of religion in what had been a staunchly secular society.

Robert McMahon says that after breathtaking expansion of their freedoms, the media now reflect the unsteady advance of democracy in the Middle East.

Ed Husain discusses his recent meetings with the royal family and oppositionists in Bahrain.

Experts discuss the current security situation in Mexico, and how the United States can help combat shared security threats.

This session was part of a CFR symposium, U.S.-Mexico Relations Beyond the 2012 Election, which was made possible by the generous support of the Mexican Business Council.

President Obama and Afghan president Karzai gave these remarks at the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement on May 1, 2012 in Afghanistan.

The country's instability should not be viewed as a simple push for democratic reforms, and the outcome has implications for Iran's role in the region, says CFR's Ed Husain.

Isobel Coleman says the Egyptian elections are a roller coaster, and what the role of Islam will be in a new Egypt is uncertain.

Richard N. Haass says that seemingly different nations with elections and political transitions in the coming months possess common internal challenges–a loss of economic and physical autonomy, the diffusion of information technology, and slower growth against a backdrop of larger and older populations–that will make more difficult the task of generating global consensus on how to meet threats beyond borders.

Joshua Kurlantzick warns that while investors may look on Burma as a potential emerging market, they should be aware that Burma has experienced periods of short-lived openness before.

Speaker

Hernando de Soto, President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, which advises heads of state and governments worldwide; Author, The Other Path: The Invisible Revolution in the Third World and The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else

Presider

Isobel Coleman, Senior Fellow and Director of the Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative, Council on Foreign Relations

Following the first round of France's presidential election, CFR's Charles A. Kupchan discusses Nicolas Sarkozy's chances and the potential impact of a Francois Hollande win on transatlantic ties and the eurozone crisis.

China's loudest and most nationalistic voices aren't necessarily its most influential; behind the monochromatic official announcements lies a debate and lack of consensus about Chinese direction, both internal and external, Allen Carlson writes in the Diplomat.

President Obama gave these remarks at the Holocaust Memorial Museum on April 23, 2012.

UN Security Council Resolution 2043 regarding Syria was adopted on April 21, 2012.

France's next president faces tough choices on EU integration, immigration, NATO's mission in Afghanistan, and economic reforms, says CFR's Charles Kupchan.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave these remarks on Syria on April 19, 2012 before the House Armed Services Committee.

Elliott Abrams says the Egyptian presidential race is a frightful mess.

In his new book Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, Daron Acemoglu looks at why some nations prosper and why some fail. He concludes that it depends on whether institutions are pluralistic and inclusive or extractive and autocratic.

This Declaration and Agenda for Action was released at the 1st World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Stockholm, Sweden on August 31, 1996.

The declaration begins, "We, gathered in Stockholm for the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, representing the Governments of 122 countries, together with non-governmental organizations, the End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism (ECPAT) campaign, UNICEF and other agencies within the family of the United Nations, and other concerned organizations and individuals worldwide, hereby commit ourselves to a global partnership against the commercial sexual exploitation of children."