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.

Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt, “As Security Deteriorates at Home, Iraqi Leader Arrived in U.S. Seeking Aid,” New York Times, October 31, 2013. Until now, Mr. Maliki was reluctant to openly ask …

A nuclear-free zone in the Middle East would go a long way toward "nuclear symmetry," with uniform obligations and verification controls, says Egyptian arms control expert Nabil Fahmy.

Sri Lanka democracy activist Ahilan Kadirgamar paints a bleak picture for the country in 2008 after the collapse of a six-year-old truce between the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers.