Major democracies have an obligation to assist local civil society in countries where popular demands for reform have not been met, says expert Mark P. Lagon.

Ongoing Middle East conflicts, economic storm clouds, and perennial tensions in Asia augur a tough 2015 for global leaders, says CFR’s James M. Lindsay.

A UN Security Council vote pushing Israel to leave the Palestinian territories by 2017 would likely undermine the peace process, says expert David Makovsky.  

Amid inflamed rhetoric in Jerusalem and strained ties with Washington, Israeli and Palestinian leaders must find ways to avoid an escalation of tensions, says CFR’s Robert Danin.

U.S. midterm elections occur amid deep political divisions in Congress that are blocking policy reforms. CFR’s James M. Lindsay examines the foreign policy choices facing lawmakers.