It is unclear if classifying the conflict in Iraq as a civil war will have serious ramifications for U.S. military strategy there or, for that matter, U.S. domestic politics.

The election of pope to lead the world’s one billion Catholics stirs debate over the spiritual authority of the pontiff and the church’s role in the world.

Controversies over too-big-to-fail financial institutions continue to mount. The Basel Accords represent the latest effort to ease risk and restore confidence, as this Backgrounder explains.

This publication is now archived. Is Islam compatible with democracy?It can be. Millions of the world’s 1.4 billion Muslims live in democracies, ample proof that there is no inherent discord between …

This publication is now archived. What is the plan for the June 30 transfer of sovereignty to Iraq?It’s a work-in-progress. The date won’t change, U.S. and U.N. officials say, but much else remains u…