Who calls the shots in Iran on economic policy, security, and domestic calls for reform? A look at the government’s organization chart indicates how complicated the answer is.

Nothing may seem more obvious to supporters of democracy than the need to oppose, punish, and deter coups. But defining a coup, let alone reacting sensibly to one, is difficult for many democratic go…

The United States came up with “maximum pressure”—but the Israeli government is the only one carrying it out.

If Westerners are shocked at political developments in Tunisia, it’s because they described it as a straightforward success for too long.