This publication is now archived. Why has the Iraqi insurgency flared up again?It was never completely stamped out, experts say, and Sunni and Shiite insurgents have used anti-U.S. sentiment and disc…

This publication is now archived. What’s the likely impact of the assassination of Sheik Ahmed Yassin?Experts say the March 22 killing of Yassin, the founder of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas…

This publication is now archived. Who are the key Israeli and Palestinian political leaders?As plans move forward for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, hopes for peace in the Middle East are h…

This publication is now archived. Is Muqtada al-Sadr serious about entering Iraqi politics?Nothing is certain, but the rebellious Shiite cleric has vowed to disarm his militia, the Mahdi Army, and en…

This publication is now archived. Who are the cabinet ministers in the new Iraqi government?Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has filled all but one of the 32 ministerial cabinet slots and named thre…

This publication is now archived. Who serves on the U.N. reform panel?Members of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change, created by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in November 2003…

This publication is now archived. IntroductionBack in July, John Burns of the New York Times posed a provocative question: If there’s civil war in Iraq, how will we know it? The answer may be unclear…

This publication is now archived. When will the military tribunals for Guantanamo Bay detainees begin?It’s unclear. The United States on February 24 charged two suspects, Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al-Qos…

This publication is now archived. IntroductionIraqi voters going to the polls in elections to choose a permanent parliament will face a diverse list of candidates and coalitions. All told, more than …

Palestinian voters will elect a new Legislative Council on January 25. cfr.org offers a brief primer on the workings of the Palestinian Authority government.