Policy makers, diplomats, and commentators in the secular West often fail to take into account the profound influence of religious leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, whether among Christians, Muslims, or adherents of traditional religions. Heaven, hell, and what secularists regard as magic are literal realities, more immediate than government policy or the pronouncements of political leaders. What the preacher says is more credible than the utterances of politicians.

In an interview and op-ed last week, CFR fellow Joshua Kurlantzick analyzes the setbacks facing democracy as autocratic powers such as China and Russia advance their own political philosophies in the…

Prabowo Subianto has won Indonesia’s presidential election. What will his presidency bring? 

Pakistan faces uncertainty as a fragile coalition, led by Shehbaz Sharif and reluctantly backed by the PPP, attempts to maintain control of parliament and stifle Imran Khan's PTI following recent ele…