This publication is now archived. What role will Islam play in Iraq after the elections?It’s unclear. The Shiite political coalition expected to win a majority of seats in the January 30 elections is…

This publication is now archived. What’s the status of the Iraqi security forces?Their numbers have grown dramatically since the end of major combat operations in May 2003, and they are increasingly …

Religion’s place in the Iranian political system has long been debated among scholars, but a president who blurs the line has refocused attention on the topic

This publication is now archived. What’s the U.N. record on nation-building?Mixed, experts say. While the United Nations has guided several countries through successful postwar transitions, the enorm…

The debate over defense spending will be more contentious than usual as the annual budget process ramps up in Washington.