A group of Islamist courts have seized power across much of Somalia. Many outside observers are anxiously watching—and interfering—as the power struggle plays out between the Islamists and the offici…

Kim Jong-il’s death has prompted discussion about the future of the isolated country and its nuclear weapons program. Experts cited in this CFR Backgrounder believe a post-Kim regime in North Korea w…

Efforts to stabilize and pacify the Middle East conflict with UN and multinational peacekeeping forces have proven difficult—if not impossible. A look at the history of such efforts.

China is dealing with growing signs of social unrest and a budding civil society, but the central government’s power grip leaves little room for democracy.

Though international observers had hoped Somalia’s transitional federal government would bring stability to the war-torn nation after sixteen years of “failed state” status, by mid-2008 experts said …