The events in Iraq affect core U.S. interests, and Washington should be prepared to help both battle jihadist forces and press for political reforms over the long run, says CFR’s David Palkki.

Without a major surge in force levels, the best outcome that the United States can hope for in Afghanistan is that the Taliban will tire of fighting and pursue peace, writes CFR’s Max Boot.

The Revolutionary Guards are involved in maintaining domestic order, projecting Iranian influence in the Mideast, and presiding over major business interests. They are poised to take on a bigger role…

CFR’s Rachel Schneller says Iraqi political factions should be given time to sort out their power-sharing rules rather than be rushed into elections in January 2010, a date pegged to U.S. troop withd…

Reports of Sunnis being banned from Iraq’s March 7 elections are a reminder of the dangerous fault lines in Iraqi politics, which the United States can best influence with support rather than interfe…