The intersection of religion and world politics has often been a bloody crossroads.

Obamas foreign policy is strangely self-centered, focused on himself and the United States rather than on the conduct and needs of the nations the United States allies with, engages with, or must confront.

During most of the Bush administration, human rights and democracy in Egypt were on the front burner.

Syria's population is 74% Sunni Muslim.

Dubai must crack down on rampant smuggling, and the U.A.E. federal government has significantly stepped up pressure.

While Argentina, Brazil, and Chile - what in textbooks used to be called the ABC countries - seem settled into democratic politics and free market economics, the Andean countries are in disarray.

Libya as a country is a relatively new concept. The period of Libya as a modern nation really starts after World War II.