Elections matter, but how much they matter depends entirely on how free, open and fair they are.

Persecution of Christians is growing around the world, and Congress needs to pay more attention to it.

Reformist kings can save their dynasties now by helping their countries move smoothly into democracy, or they will end their years in exile like the Russian aristocrats of a century earlier.

The Obama administration rarely demonstrated the ability to shift gears and change policy in its first year. Even in the face of historic events such as the continuing demonstrations against Iran's regime, it stuck devotedly to prior plans.

Syria's population is 74% Sunni Muslim.

There are examples of fraternal dictatorships, or one, anyway: the passing of power from Fidel to Raul Castro.

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.