Experts say Islamic law, or sharia, holds wide appeal for Muslim populations in many countries and is beginning to spread via democratic means, but it is also being used as a tool of Islamic militancy and extremism.

A proposed groundbreaking nuclear deal between the United States and India is raising questions and concern in both countries.

This series of Backgrounders examines foreign policy issues in light of the 2010 midterm elections.

The war in Afghanistan hasn't been a major campaign issue even as public support for it has waned. This Backgrounder examines political backing for the war.

The economic climate and border security concerns have fueled the immigration debate in the U.S. congressional elections. This Backgrounder examines races where immigration is playing a role and the potential for reform legislation in the next Congress.

With U.S. unemployment and high debt threatening Americans at home and U.S. power abroad, this Backgrounder looks at congressional candidates' difficulty in articulating policies that balance job creation and debt reduction.

Experts say instability in south Sudan should be looked at in tandem with the crisis in Darfur, and some call for addressing Sudan's problems in a more unified way to help forestall an escalation of violence.

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.

With U.S. economic recovery still slow, trade policy looms as a factor in the congressional midterm races. This Backgrounder explores the consequences for trade based on the outcome of the Democratic-Republican electoral struggle.

Summaries and links to the seminal United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions for the post-colonial period, focusing on those related to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.

Gross domestic product has been the dominant measure of economic strength for decades, but some experts question whether the metric alone is a sufficient tool for measuring overall societal wellbeing.

The growth and strengthening of Afghanistan's domestic security forces is seen as key to an eventual U.S. exit, but some analysts caution that progress will remain slow.

A profile of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah.

The reliance on unmanned drones to target terror suspects in Pakistan has been quietly lauded by U.S. officials. But the covert program, which has so far gotten little public scrutiny, is facing mounting legal and ethical concerns.

A profile of the Lebanese terrorist organization.

As the United States and India move toward cementing their warmest relationship ever, India's rival, Pakistan, is broadening its ties with its own powerful ally: China.

Pakistan's constitution continues to be the focus of political struggle, with the nation's prime minister, president, regional governments, and army vying for advantage.

The global financial crisis prompted Congress to press for stronger U.S. financial regulations. But experts debate what level of government involvement will help the economy long term.

Chechnya has been plagued by two wars and an ongoing insurgency since the fall of the Soviet Union. In recent years, Chechen militants have escalated attacks in the North Caucasus and revived bombings in Moscow.