Israel has sworn in a new, more moderate government. His coalition in place, new Prime Minister Ehud Olmert must now address the challenges posed by the new Hamas leadership in the Palestinian Territories.

In a constant state of near-drought and desperately poor in good times, the desert republic of Chad is heading toward a fateful election early next month as Darfur's hungry refugees, a bloody rebel army, and the World Bank all demand their due.

A nationalist candidate has risen from obscurity to emerge as the favorite after Peru's April 9 presidential election. Will Ollanta Humala's supporters lead Peru into Latin America's leftward tide?

Snap elections in Thailand brought no clear end to the ongoing political turmoil, as embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party failed to gain enough votes to form a new parliament.

Israel's election took place against the backdrop of a vastly transformed political climate. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party took the most Knesset seats and seems poised to follow the path set by its founder, Ariel Sharon.

The color may be draining out of Ukraine's "Orange" revolution, with early returns from Sunday's parliamentary elections showing the pro-Russian political bloc ahead of two former pro-democracy allies.

Israelis go to the polls in a political landscape transformed by the emergence of a new centrist party, the stroke that debilitated Ariel Sharon, and the rise of their archenemy, Hamas, to power in the Palestinian Authority.

As the EU and Washington mull diplomatic punishment for a Belarus election they view as a fraud, opposition crowds braving snows and security forces are fast fading.

Since winning elections in January, Hamas can no longer rely on the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) long-time European and American donors. The PA now runs a monthly deficit of $120 million, adding to the pressures it faces to renounce violence and recognize Israel.

As Uganda votes in its first multi-party elections in twenty-five years, President Yoweri Museveni rejects allegations he is abusing power and intimidating his opposition. His critics warn such power politics may undo much of the progress Museveni made since coming to power twenty years ago.

As Hamas prepares to reconvene the Palestinian parliament and appoint a new prime minister, the United States and Israel continue to doubt the group's apparent unwillingness to renounce violence and recognize Israel.

The Palestinian parliament meets this week for the first time since Hamas' win in last month's elections. Amid intense rhetoric, observers are left guessing about the future of the Palistinan Authority.

With nearly all the votes counted, frontrunner and crowd favorite René Préval wins only 48 percent of the vote in Haiti, forcing a March runoff and prompting violent protests that left at least one dead.

Iraq’s ruling Shiite bloc picked Ibrahim al-Jaafari to stay on as prime minister, casting doubts on the ability of Iraqi leaders to form a national-unity government. A moderate Islamist, Jaafari has been criticized for his lack of charisma and leadership skills.

Two weeks after a stunning electoral upset, the thrill of victory is wearing off for Hamas. Faced with the options of abandoning its hard-line rhetoric or risking the loss of desperately needed foreign aid, Hamas' leaders must make some difficult decisions.

Haitians cast ballots in a chaotic February 7 election, the first since Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted two years ago. But it will take more than the restoration of democracy to cure Haiti's ills.

Haitians choose a president and legislature on February 7 in long-delayed elections seen as crucial in lifting the country out of poverty. The vote takes place during a time of high unemployment and rampant violence but credible polls could lead to much-needed foreign investment.

Will Iraq's various factions be able to overcome their sectarian differences to build a new government? Looking ahead, as Iraq's political parties vie for cabinet positions, there is some concern that Shiites—who won most of the votes in December's parliamentary elections—may exclude Sunnis from the more powerful government posts.

Hamas shocked nearly everyone with its overwhelming victory in last week's elections. The problem now is how to deal with the new Palestinian government.

The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas won a large majority of seats in the Palestinian legislature, putting a faction which embraces suicide bombings in a position to lead the Palestinian Authority. Yet for all the fear expressed over the consequences, some analysts believe the party most at risk is Hamas itself.