Syria’s Ba’athist regime has responded to widening pro-reform protests by tightening its crackdown, but this approach is unlikely to quiet restive Syrians like it has in the past, writes CFR’s Mohama…

Civil unrest and public anger about the slow pace of change could destabilize Myanmar and the region just as the country is opening up politically, writes CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick.

The main uncertainty in the global economy next year will be China, which could become the source of the next economic shock, writes CFR’s Sebastian Mallaby.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, Judith Kelley examines the achievements, shortcomings, and drawbacks of international election monitoring, arguing that it merits both enthusiasm and healthy skep…