Max Boot says, "Unless the U.S. does more to address the Iraqi prime minister's postelection moves, billions of dollars and thousands of lives could be for naught."

If the Conservatives emerge from the British elections as the governing party, their skepticism toward European integration could weaken the bloc and its potential as a U.S. partner, writes CFR's Charles Kupchan.

John Campbell discusses the death of Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua and its implications for Nigerian politics.

A troubled economy and competing interests mean Britain's general elections tomorrow could create a "hinge moment" in the U.S.-UK relationship, says Robin Niblett of Chatham House.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses the roots of the conflict in Thailand.

Iraq's political standoff may be resolved with a compromise candidate, says CFR's Rachel Schneller. But it won't happen according to a U.S. timetable. And it shouldn't affect U.S. plans to withdraw combat troops this summer.

A judicial ruling in Iraq could delay the formation of a new government until the fall, increasing the risk of a planned U.S. drawdown of troops by the end of August, says CFR's Brett McGurk.

A deal to extend the stay of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea in exchange for up to $40 billion worth of gas discounts stops Ukraine's drift toward NATO, but political-military integration with Russia is not in the interests of the nation.

Pakistan's constitution continues to be the focus of political struggle, with the nation's prime minister, president, regional governments, and army vying for advantage.

Although there is no real choice in the April 2010 Sudanese elections, The Economist emphasizes that this was the first time that most Sudanese had been able to vote since 1986, and minor delays here and there wasn't going to dampen the generally festive spirit.

J. Peter Pham recounts Sudan's recent history relevant to the April 2010 elections there.

The U.S. should consider postponing its planned August pullout from Iraq for several months to help maintain stability as post-election political jockeying and opportunistic violence by al-Qaeda in Iraq play themselves out, writes CFR Iraq expert Brett McGurk.

The close, completed counts in Iraq's elections mean that it will take months of coalition-building, and Sunni-Shiite political tensions, before it's clear who will head the new government, says CFR expert Meghan O'Sullivan.

Listen to experts report on Nigeria's presidential crisis, sectarian conflict, and security dilemmas in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Watch experts report on Nigeria's presidential crisis, sectarian conflict, and security dilemmas in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Iraq's security forces performed especially well during parliamentary elections but a big test looms in the months ahead as votes are counted and Iraqi factions try to form a government, says CFR's Brett McGurk.

Meghan L. O'Sullivan discusses why, in Iraq, "the process of forming a government is likely to be prolonged."

Regarding Nigeria, John Campbell says, "... paralyzed and divided government is the order of the day in one of Africa's most important countries."