The battle for Kunduz highlights the military and political challenges facing Afghanistan and the narrowly defined U.S. mission there, says CFR’s Stephen Biddle.

Vladimir Putin’s Middle East trip was an effort to explain policies on Iran and Syria that have put it at odds with Israel and many Arab states, says CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich.

Recent "insider attacks" on U.S. forces raise concerns about the Afghan security transition in 2014 and long-term U.S. support for local troops, says CFR’s Stephen Biddle.

Continuing demonstrations in Ukraine after the failure of a "no confidence" vote in Parliament suggest fierce opposition to closer ties with Moscow, says CFR’s Stephen Sestanovich.

The odds of an economic hard landing for China remain low, but continuing stock volatility could set back critical market reforms, says expert Stephen Roach.