June 20, 2018
Democratic Republic of CongoThough Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala of Democratic Republic of Congo officially announced on June 12 that President Joseph Kabila would not stand for a controversial third term, this has not ended speculation that Kabila, whose term of office expired in 2016, will find a way to continue to stay in power. Shortly thereafter, in what will surely complicate the election, the International Criminal Court acquitted Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former Congolese vice president, an ex-warlord, and a fierce rival of Kabila.
June 4, 2018
United StatesPresident Trump has abandoned previous U.S. administrations' respect for the rules-based order.
July 23, 2012
Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and DisarmamentDespite concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, the Obama administration has assessed that Tehran is years from a developing a long-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. But past Irania…
October 13, 2011
Terrorism and CounterterrorismThe U.S. government designates Iran as the "most active state sponsor of terrorism," which feeds concerns about Iran’s growing nuclear program.
March 17, 2009
United StatesU.S. missile defense in the twenty-first century is focused on emerging threats from North Korea and Iran, but critics say these systems are too costly and largely unproven.
October 7, 2010
PakistanPakistan’s stability is of great consequence to regional and international security. Examine the roots of its challenges, what it means for the region and the world, and explore some plausible future…
November 10, 2010
Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and DisarmamentA new arms control agreement with Russia has met political opposition in the U.S. Senate, and some analysts believe its fate is tied to the outcome of the 2010 midterm elections. This Backgrounder ex…
July 22, 2009
IranThe crisis following Iran’s presidential vote cast a new light on the country’s hotly contested media space. A crackdown has limited independent reporting but other sources remain as channels for dis…
July 19, 2010
Defense and SecurityThe reliance on unmanned drones to target terror suspects in Pakistan has been quietly lauded by U.S. officials. But the covert program, which has so far gotten little public scrutiny, is facing moun…
August 19, 2010
AfghanistanThe growth and strengthening of Afghanistan’s domestic security forces is seen as key to an eventual U.S. exit, but some analysts caution that progress will remain slow.