Reza Aslan discusses the connection between women's empowerment and economics, as part of the Council on Foreign Relations' roundtable series on religion and the Middle East.

This meeting was cosponsored by the Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initative.

After former secretary of state Hillary Clinton's speech on April 5, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon observes, "the Clinton megaphone no longer requires a Washington translator."

Ed Husain says Europe needs to foster a greater sense of multiculturalism. In the United States, immigrants are accepted; in most of Europe, they are just tolerated.

Syria's civil war, at its core a sectarian conflict, is viewed through the eyes of a fearful Alawite minority.

Isobel Coleman writes about the mixed record that quotas for women's political participation in the Middle East have had, but notes that at least quotas ensure that women's perspectives are represented in government.

This new report on diversity in America finds that almost all communities—whether large immigrant gateways or small towns in the nation's heartland—have grown more diverse.

A comprehensive new nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center provides an overview of the economic and social status of Asian-Americans in the United States.

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.

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women and former president of Chile, discusses the empowerment of women around the world with CFR's Director of Studies, James Lindsay. Bachelet emphasizes the importance of contextualizing the support provided in each country, and the need to combine both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

The United States Government Accountability Office outlines methods in which assistance to Pakistan could be better strategized.

This report from Stratfor Global Intelligence analyzes the recent increase in anti-Christian attacks by Islamists in Egypt, and explains the historical context that has led to an uncertain political future for the country.

The recent bombing of a Coptic Church in Egypt underscores deep sectarian tensions and reflects the need for a more open and tolerant society, says CFR's Steven Cook, but Egypt's government would rather ignore underlying political causes.

An increase in terror incidents involving Islamic radicals who are U.S. citizens is vexing law enforcement officials and posing new questions about the roots of their radicalization.

The Economist offers views from Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin and two Israeli academics on whether Israel can still be considered a democracy, given its regional policies.

Deep seated sectarian differences are the root of political instability in Lebanon, writes Mohamad Bazzi.

"What is wrong with Lebanon and why is it so hard for elected politicians to form a government?" asks Mohamad Bazzi, citing an obsolete political system as a reason for government instability.

Veteran reporter Jane Arraf says the massive truck bombings of August 19 in Baghdad have shaken the people and government. She says the United States may have to take a new look at the policy of leaving security under Iraqi control in urban centers.

As China continues to transform its economy, rising tensions and spates of violence within its primarily Muslim Uighur community is causing regional instability both internally and with Pakistan.

Beset by increased terror attacks and political infighting, Pakistan's viability as a state is a matter of increasing concern. Experts call for reforming weak civil institutions, resolving ethnic disputes, and checking the power of the military.

A brief overview of the Israeli political system.