Iraq’s provincial elections provide signals about the maturity of the country’s political system, as well as highlight new power brokers in the provinces.

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.

Some U.S. analysts recommend a national ID database with biometric cards to identify insurgents in Iraq, but the proposal faces resistance from the U.S. military.