The Arab world’s stirring for political change in 2011 failed dramatically, but support for building democratic institutions still represents one of the region’s best hopes for reform.

The experiences of several Asian states in the past quarter-century are worth noting in today’s turbulent Mideast. The Asian cases show the value of swift, cohesive action by opposition groups, and t…

The Gulf and the financial crisis.

A growing number of authoritarian states are banning civil society activities, raising the prospect of spreading instability that should arouse action in Washington, says CFR’s Mark Lagon.