As the world's largest democracy goes to the polls, this Backgrounder looks at the laws, major players, and issues, including economic reform, caste, and religion, that have shaped India's politics.

CFR's Evan Feigenbaum says the United States should ensure improved relations with India are not paralyzed by domestic Indian politics.

Steven A. Cook examines the decline in popular support for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's Justice and Development Party.

Elliot Abrams argues that "Israel's bizarre and dysfunctional electoral system...has produced no winner, only a mess likely to produce a weak government and perhaps new elections in two years or less."

An interview with Ayman Nour shortly before his arrest in 2005. Nour, a pro-democracy Egyptian dissident, was released after three years in prison on February 18, 2009.

Allan Brewer-Carias, a former Venezuelan legislator and opponent of President Hugo Chavez, says the referendum that overturned term limits on Chavez will strengthen the country's authoritarian strain but also signaled disapproval of Chavez's government.

Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former top U.S. diplomat in the Mideast and a recent adviser to Barack Obama, says divisions in the Israeli electorate will paralyze the political process and could lead to an extended "hiatus" in peace-making.

A brief overview of the Israeli political system.

Sam Parker, an expert on Iraq, says the initial results from the provincial elections indicate Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been strengthened and Sunnis in restive Mosul may play a more positive role now that they appear to have defeated Kurds at the polls.

Iraq's provincial elections provide signals about the maturity of the country's political system, as well as highlight new power brokers in the provinces.

Two Africa experts urge the incoming Obama administration to focus on resolving Africa's disastrous conflicts, and finding a way to sustain development on the continent.

After a year of electoral turmoil in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Guinea, tiny Ghana managed to run a free and fair presidential election. Is it an anomaly, or a trend the outside world can encourage?

Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress and former deputy president of South Africa discusses South Africa's role in addressing regional challenges and his thoughts about the country's future. After the forced resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki in September, and the subsequent departure of several cabinet members, it is widely expected that Jacob Zuma will fill South Africa's presidential seat in upcoming elections.

Africa expert Princeton Lyman discusses current political upheaval in South Africa and the outlook for the country's economy.

The resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki has exposed a rift in the ruling ANC party, raising questions about the future of one of the continent's champions and a regional powerbroker.

Passage of a long-awaited election law has renewed hope that Iraq can find political solutions to its many problems. But some Western observers still see trouble on the horizon.

Martin S. Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, discusses the new leader of the country's ruling Kadima party, Tzipi Livni.

Jamie Ekern of CFR's Center for Preventive Action discusses her observations of the Angolan parliamentary elections from Luanda.

Angolans headed to the polls on September 5 for their first election in sixteen years. The country is in the midst of a remarkable oil boom, but average Angolans remain among the world's poorest.