Argument

Votes Versus Rights

The debate that's shaping the outcome of the Arab Spring.

BY CHARLES KURZMAN | FEBRUARY 10, 2012

Bull in the China Shop

The Obama administration is welcoming China's presumptive next leader, Xi Jinping. But how can it make good policy when the strategy is a mess?

BY DANIEL BLUMENTHAL | FEBRUARY 10, 2012

We're All State Capitalists Now

The debate about whether America or China will ultimately triumph is a red herring that distracts us from the real contest of our time.

BY NIALL FERGUSON | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

A Failure to Communicate

Why doesn't Israel understand the Arab Spring?

BY SALMAN SHAIKH | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Embarrassment of Riches

Natural resources would seem to promise easy money. Welcome to the dark side.

BY PETER PASSELL | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

The Muddle Kingdom

China has a serious PR problem.

BY ISAAC STONE FISH | FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Putin Without Putinism

Everyone assumes that Vladimir Putin will win Russia's presidential election next month. But can his iron fist survive his victory?

BY ANDERS ÅSLUND | FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Call the Generals' Bluff

Egypt's military-run government says I'm a fugitive from the law. I say it's time American taxpayers stop funding repression.

BY SHERIF MANSOUR | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Putin Is Already Dead

The sweeping protests that have riled Moscow signal the end of Russia's strongman, but the real gains will require millions to adopt the project of democracy and dignity.

BY LEON ARON | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Immunizing the Body Politic

Want to promote democracy in Burma? Start by making sure people are well enough to vote.

BY JACK C. CHOW | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

We Need to Talk to Iran, But How?

Thirty-two years of sanctions and bluster haven't worked. It's time to try something different.

BY JOHN LIMBERT | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Why It Won't Be a Tragedy if Greece Defaults

European leaders are working around the clock to prevent a Greek default -- as if they had a choice.

BY MARK S. SHEETZ | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Freezing in the Dark

Europe's energy demands exceed what Russia can produce, and this latest cold front proves the continent has no strategy for fixing the problem. Is shale gas the solution?

BY ROBIN M. MILLS | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

The 'Untouchable'

Meet Mayawati, India's multimillionaire lower-caste power broker and politician.

BY SADANAND DHUME | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Sorry, Mitt: It Won't Be an American Century

American politicians should stop pretending the United States runs the world.

BY CHARLES KUPCHAN | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Free Radical

Bashar al-Assad appears to have let one of the world's most prominent jihadist ideologues out of jail. He's playing with fire.

BY AARON Y. ZELIN | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Keystone Kops

Environmentalists picked the wrong battle in opposing the Keystone XL project.

BY AMY MYERS JAFFE | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The Coming Civil War in Afghanistan

It's not inevitable, but it's more likely than ever before. Here's how to avoid the worst.

BY ARIF RAFIQ | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Premature Evacuation?

Why cutting and running in Afghanistan is good politics for Obama.

BY MICHAEL A. COHEN | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Brothers in Arms

Vladimir Putin's stubborn support for the Syrian regime is intended to shore up his faltering support within Russia.

BY MICHAEL WEISS , JULIA PETTENGILL | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

The Forbidden Citizen

Why 2012 will be a very bad year to be a Chinese dissident -- and what America can do about it.

BY SOPHIE RICHARDSON | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

The Little Economy That Could

If you're looking for an unlikely economic success story, you can hardly do better than Mauritius.

BY JEFFREY FRANKEL | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Finish Him

Without international intervention, there's a good chance that Syria's dictator, Bashar al-Assad, could still rule for years.

BY DANIEL BYMAN | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Ultra Violence

How Egypt’s soccer mobs are threatening the revolution.

BY JAMES M. DORSEY | FEBRUARY 1, 2012

Canceling the Mullahs' Credit Card

How to sever Iran's financial lifeline.

BY MARK DUBOWITZ, JONATHAN SCHANZER | FEBRUARY 1, 2012

The Monitor, Merrimac, and Middle East

American presidents love to describe the U.S. commitment to Israeli security as "ironclad." But do they mean it?

BY ROBERT SATLOFF | JANUARY 31, 2012

The Debate the GOP Didn't Have in Florida

Instead of repeating tired applause lines about Fidel Castro, here are the vital Latin American issues the Republican candidates should be talking about.

BY MICHAEL SHIFTER | JANUARY 30, 2012

On a Knife's Edge

The global economy is balanced precariously between total collapse and salvation. Here are four tipping points toward disaster and four things that could get it back on track.

BY MOHAMED EL-ERIAN | JANUARY 30, 2012

Why Putinomics Isn't Worth Emulating

Don't let the Russian economy fool you: It's still all about oil.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 27, 2012

Mexican Standoff

Republicans have a historic chance to win the Hispanic vote. They're shooting themselves in the foot.

BY MICHAEL A. COHEN | JANUARY 27, 2012