David Makovsky, an expert on Israeli politics, says there is concern a forced resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could unravel his efforts on Palestinian peace.

Michael Young, a political analyst in Lebanon, says the recent "Doha compromise" is not necessarily a cave-in to Hezbollah, but rather a "classic Levantine compromise."

Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, writes in an essay that the Chinese view on the protests over Tibet and the Olympic torch is different from that of western leaders. The reality is that virtually all of the Chinese believe that the Western protests have had little to do with human rights, Tibet or Darfur. "Instead, the Chinese think, the West's real motivation is to deny China the triumph it deserves for its enormous successes."

Elizabeth Fuller, an expert on Georgian affairs, says Russia may be promoting joint states as a solution to some frozen conflicts in its sphere of influence.

A primer on the dispute over Tibet’s sovereignty, which has risen to public attention following recent protests in Lhasa and demonstrations surrounding the 2008 Olympic Games.

Taiwan expert Alan D. Romberg says the election of Ma Ying-jeou as the island’s next president should usher in a new era of less contentious cross-Strait relations.

During an exclusive interview at the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama talked about his willingness to negotiate with Beijing, his fears for the future, and how some government officials in China have sent him private messages of sympathy.

Interview: CFR's Charles A. Kupchan says recognizing Kosovo as independent is the best pragmatic solution from a list of bad options.

Jeffrey Mankoff argues that “Medvedev’s victory provides an opportunity to turn the page on a difficult chapter in relations between Russia and the United States.”

Washington’s representative to talks on Kosovo, Frank G. Wisner, says Serbia will never recognize an independent Kosovo and that Russia’s role has been “unbelievably regrettable.”

Charles A. Kupchan, CFR’s top Europe expert, says with Kosovo on the cusp of announcing independence, he finds the continued Russian opposition “perplexing.”

Listen to CFR Senior Fellow Charles A. Kupchan discuss implications of Kosovo's expected declaration of independence when international mediators report to the United Nations' Security Council on December 10, despite the vociferous opposition of Russia and Serbia.

CFR Senior Fellow Charles Kupchan discusses implications of Kosovo's anticipated declaration of independence despite Russia's opposition.

Kosovo is expected to declare independence within the next month. Russia says this could trigger instability in other nearby breakaway regions.

Daniel Markey, a former State Department specialist on South Asia, says Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's emergency decree runs the risk of alienating so many different opposition groups that a more radical element could take power.

Marvin G. Weinbaum, a veteran analyst on Pakistan and Afghanistan, says Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf has won time for himself by agreeing to resign as army chief, but could still face a major crisis if reelected on October 6.

Despite a strong economy and political reforms, Taiwan continues to struggle for international recognition.

As China increases its military spending, the Taiwanese president ups the independence ante.

Last summer, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari was tasked by the Security Council with resolving the question of Kosovo's future status, with support from U.S. and European Union envoys. As the process draws to a close, this United States Institute of Peace briefing discusses potential drivers of conflict in Kosovo during the status decision and in the period thereafter.