As UN Security Council members mull sanctions against Tehran, experts say such a move, even with climbing oil prices, could deal a devastating blow to Iran’s economy.

With international attention focused on Tehran’s nuclear activities, democracy advocates, journalists, and human rights campaigners in Iran face a worsening situation and daily harassment. 

Backgrounder: Some experts say a "Shiite crescent" holds the potential to transform Islamic politics in the coming years.

An end to Syria’s conflict seems unlikely in the near term, as a number of obstacles on and off the battlefield have stymied international diplomatic efforts, explains this Backgrounder.

The prosecution of alleged terrorists in U.S. civilian criminal courts and in new military tribunals has been fraught with controversy. U.S. federal courts have gradually asserted their role in the m…