Reza Aslan says the question isn't whether Islam promotes democracy, but rather do Muslims promote democracy, remarking that there are some who do and some who don't, as is the case with followers of every religious tradition on earth."

Economic woes caused by sanctions and mismanagement, coupled with an upcoming political transition, have created new uncertainties in Iran, says expert Farideh Farhi.

Meghan L. O'Sullivan says doing more to help the budding democracies in the Arab world isn't just in the interest of Arabs, who are deserving of a better future, but also of the United States, which needs better partners in this part of the world.

Shibley Telhami and film director Soraya Umewaka discuss the film Tomorrow We Will See, which follows a new generation of artists and designers living in Beirut.

Shibley Telhami and film director Soraya Umewaka discuss the film Tomorrow We Will See, which follows a new generation of artists and designers living in Beirut.

The miners' strike reveals the growing frustration over the political bargain that ended apartheid but did little to ease systematic economic inequalities, writes CFR's John Campbell.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf discusses the progress she has made as head of state and the challenges facing her country.

In the wake of a move to increase instructional time for Chicago public school students, Peter Orszag highlights education research showing a link between more time in the classroom and improved academic performance.

President Obama gave this interview with Savannah Guthrie at NBC's "Education Nation" summit in New York on September 26, 2012.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave this interview with Brian Williams at NBC's "Education Nation" summit in New York on September 26, 2012.

President Obama signed the executive order on Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking In Persons In Federal Contracts on September 25, 2012.

President Obama gave these remarks to the Clinton Global Initiative on September 25, 2012.

The White House released this fact sheet on efforts to combat human trafficking on September 25, 2012.

An increasing wave of restrictions on religion spread across the world between 2009 and 2010 in all five of the major regions on the world, according to the Pew Forum.

The counterinsurgency in Syria yielded a destructive power that terrorized and forced Syria's propertied class into submission.

Libya is experiencing a transition away from its earlier state into a region that has changed in its political and religious landscape.

Peter Orszag argues that Representative Paul Ryan's budget plan would risk stranding elderly patients who wish to remain enrolled in Medicare.

Ed Husain argues that while Muslims are rightly offended by the anti-Islam film, no government or population should respond by trying to stifle freedom of speech.

Escalating friction between Japan and China in the East China Sea is becoming more difficult to contain, fed by political opportunism in both countries, says CFR's Sheila Smith.

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.