Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan next month will be seen as a test of long-term stability. But analyst Candace Rondeaux says pre-election violence and corrupt candidates will undermine the vote…

The transition of security responsibilities to Afghan forces within four years will require a significant increase in international training efforts, but NATO’s Jack Kem says coalition forces are mak…

Sanctions have weakened Iran, but expert Hossein G. Askari says the country’s leaders continue to muddle through, in part because of popular support for uranium enrichment--the cause of mounting glob…

A pending American military offensive in southern Afghanistan is buoying hopes for a return to government control, but New York Times reporter David Rohde says success could be short-lived.

President Obama is pushing for a "civilian surge" in Afghanistan, but John E. Herbst, in charge of staffing a State Department civilian-led reconstruction program that operates there, says congressio…