The UN General Assembly will likely address two "lightning rod" issues: ending the bloodshed in Syria and curbing Iran’s nuclear development, says CFR’s Stewart Patrick.

The conflict in Syria is less about democratic reforms and more about redistributing power along sectarian and ethnic lines--with troubling regional implications, says expert Vali Nasr.

The sharp drop in support for the ruling United Russia party in parliamentary elections reflects growing public discontent with Vladimir Putin’s decision to seek the presidency again next year, says …

President Obama is right to balance U.S. national interests with democracy promotion in dealing with the Middle East, intervening in select cases and standing behind democracy advocates in others, sa…

President Obama’s decision to intervene in Libya is hobbled by poor timing and muddled objectives, but charges that the war is illegal are unfounded, says CFR’s James Lindsay.