What is behind Iran’s latest seizures of expatriates visiting from the United States? An insecure regime fearful of close ties with the West.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR’s Mark Lagon argues for a more consistent approach to human rights promotion than the United States has often pursued in the past.

A growing number of authoritarian states are banning civil society activities, raising the prospect of spreading instability that should arouse action in Washington, says CFR’s Mark Lagon.

France’s next president faces tough choices on EU integration, immigration, NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, and economic reforms, says CFR’s Charles Kupchan.

Will Kenya’s elections produce a representative government or deepen its democratic decline? CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick offers a prescription for reversing the retreat of emerging states like Kenya.