As the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls, this Backgrounder looks at the laws, major players, and issues, including economic reform, caste, and religion, that have shaped India’s politics.

This publication is now archived. How much authority can Iraq’s interim government exercise?President Bush said May 24 that the interim Iraqi government taking over for U.S-led occupying authorities …

CFR.org profiles the most prominent Palestinian leaders.

This publication is now archived. Introduction In response to media reports that the United States is detaining top al-Qaeda suspects in secret prisons in eight countries, including Romania and…

Western efforts to rebuild Iraq have focused on military and political progress but revival of civilian infrastructure lags badly.