Mohamad Bazzi discusses Muqtada al-Sadr's involvement in the formation of Iraq's government and the selection of its new prime minister.

Asch Harwood and John Campbell write that in Nigeria, cell phones can both be used to instigate--and anticipate--violence.

Mohamad Bazzi says, "Mr Ahmadinejad's struggle to burnish his credibility mirrors the entire Iranian regime's quest for renewed legitimacy."

Ray Takeyh argues that Washington's attempts to have Iran rejoin the international community will be unsuccessful, since the Islamic Republic is too mired in ideological and domestic disagreements to act in the nation's interest.

Ray Takeyh clarifies the extent of the CIA's involvement in the 1953 coup in Iran.

Mohamad Bazzi says Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's rise could stoke sectarian tensions in Iraq--and help Iran.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is positioning himself as "kingmaker" in Iraq.

Mohamad Bazzi comments on the death of Shiite cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah.

Mohamad Bazzi explains how Muqtada al-Sadr reshapes Iraqi politics.

Walter Russell Mead examines the book of Job in the Old Testament and its meaning in today's political and cultural stage.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech to the United Nations will actually be aimed towards improving his reputation in the Muslim community as a "Third World hero," writes Mohamad Bazzi.

Elliott Abrams reviews The Persian Night by Amir Taheri, in Commentary.

Michael Gerson disagrees with the lifting of a Holocaust-denying bishop's excommunication by the Catholic Church. The Vatican's mistake, he explains, will face high stakes and scandal.

Michael Gerson finds that Barack Obama’s willingness to embrace a faith-based initiative is a good example of moderation without cynicism.

Michael Gerson writes that Barack Obama is properly understood as a man of the religious left, in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. However, while he has made progress gaining support in the religious community, his stance on abortion continues to keep him from gaining widespread evangelical support.

“Not only is it impossible to agree on a working definition of the word ‘moderate,’ but there is scant evidence that extremists really do moderate once they assume power,” says Steven Cook, dispelling “The Myth of Moderate Islam.”

“In the wake of liberal failures, do conservatives offer any hope to addicts and the homeless, to disadvantaged children in need of mentors and adequate education, to people living among the broken glass of durable poverty?” Michael Gerson discusses this and other questions regarding the viability of compassionate conservatism as he delves into the realm of biblical scripture and its application to modern politics.

Millions of Muslims think Shariah means the rule of law. Noah Feldman examines whether they could be right.

Walter Russell Mead discusses how America’s evangelicals are growing more moderate—and more powerful.

Noah Feldman explains that “if Turkey is to continue its integration into European and Western civilization, it needs to show that liberal values and Islam are not only compatible but complementary.”