The Islamists' lead in parliamentary polls has aroused some concerns over Egypt's democratic future. But the real threat, says CFR's Ed Husain, comes from those secular elites who prefer the former autocratic regime or military rule over elected Islamists.

Joshua Kurlantzick says dramatic signs of political opening and reform by Myanmar's new civilian government suggest the limits of international pressure.

The attack on the UK embassy in Tehran was clearly endorsed by the regime and signals more troubles ahead on the effort to contain its nuclear program, says expert Robin Wright.

Ennahda co-founder Rachid Al-Ghannouchi discusses Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, the Arab Spring, and the future of Tunisian democracy.

Ed Husain examines Islamism and the meaning of an Islamic state.

The Arab uprisings have not achieved the outcomes the West has hoped for, writes Daniel Byman. "When dictators fall," he notes, "their means of preserving power do not necessarily fall with them."

Marc Lynch and Steven A. Cook warn that Washington should not be fooled by the peace that has returned to Egyptian streets after the recent Parliamentary elections.

Despite President Saleh's signing of a power-transfer agreement, the threat of civil war is growing, write Tom Finn and Atiaf al-Wazir, noting that renewed violence between the north and south would be problematic for Western interests and could make more room for militant groups.

With the historic inauguration of the Constituent Assembly, Tunisians will have the opportunity to put political and social theory into practice, writes Intissar Kherigi.

Egypt's military appears to be pursuing a divide-and-rule approach to defuse mass protests ahead of planned November 28 polls, but this may backfire, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

The Syrian crisis has entered its most dangerous stage, says this International Crisis Group policy brief. The international community and Syrian opposition have largely been ignoring issues that must be addressed, including ties between Syria and Lebanon and the militarization of the protest movement.

The international Occupy movement faces crackdowns in several cities, but continues to spur public discourse over economic inequality. But there is sharp debate over how to translate protest into policy changes.

Steven A. Cook says the military junta in Cairo has done a dismal job ruling Egypt, and now it's paying the price.

This poll, conducted by Shibley Telhami, surveyed three thousand people in Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates in October 2011, assessing attitudes toward the United States and the Obama administration, prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, the impact of the Arab awakening, the outlook for the Egyptian elections, and opinions on where the region is headed politically.

More than twenty people have died and hundreds are wounded in clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square. CFR senior fellow Steven A. Cook, author of The Struggle for Egypt, discusses the Egyptian military, the upcoming parliamentary elections, and the implications of this violence.

Terra Lawson-Remer argues that three factors will determine whether the renewed national dialogue ignited by the Wall Street occupations will result in substantive changes that have a meaningful impact on peoples' lives.

Anthony Shadid argues that Qatar wields powerful influence in the Middle East and is advancing a shift in Arab political ideology toward a conservative, democratic Middle East governed by mainstream Islamist parties.

Ed Husain reviews Imran Khan's Pakistan: A Personal History.

Terra Lawson-Remer states, "The Occupy protests have succeeded in galvanizing a conversation in the United States--unseen since the 1970s--about inequality, opportunity, the influence of money in politics, and the outsized power of corporations and financial institutions."

Despite Syria's agreement to an Arab League-brokered peace deal, the Assad regime's continued repression of protests could lead to a civil war in the country and greater regional upheaval, say experts.