Region
Central Asia
Beginning of the End in Afghanistan
With public support tumbling and politicians on all sides keen to find a way out, the Obama administration has been quietly changing tack.
When Two Tribes Go to War
Mustafa Qadri finds out for himself during a night patrol with members of an anti-Taliban militia in Pakistan that it’s kill or be killed.
Back to the Drawing Board on Iran
A new US intelligence estimate shies from accusing Iran of restarting pursuit of a nuclear bomb. But Arab world unrest has strengthened its hand.
Decision Time in Afghanistan
Arab world unrest shouldn’t distract from the looming abyss of the Afghan War. The US should welcome a Turkish move to engage the Taliban.
How Kyrgyzstan Sees Jasmine Unrest
The kind of unrest seen in the Arab world is familiar to many Kyrgyzstanis. But the hard work comes after revolution, says Erica Marat.
Five Lions in Afghanistan
The Panjshir Valley is an oasis of calm in war-torn Afghanistan. Could a colourful history one day help to make it a tourism hotspot?
Echoes of Cairo In Tehran
Iran’s reformist Green Movement looks like it’s beginning to regroup. But is President Obama paying attention?
Kazakhstan’s Political Theatre
By Joshua Kucera
Can Afghanistan Afford to Survive?
Despite the Obama administration’s claims of success, Afghanistan is in a guerrilla war that might be too expensive for the country to win, argues Juan Cole in our feature interview.
A Glimmer of Hope Over Iran?
The latest round of P5+1 talks over Iran’s nuclear programme broke up without agreement. But things might not be as bad as they look.
The Importance of Bahrain
US policymakers wanting to contain Iran’s regional influence should take note of Saudi Arabia’s active courting of its neighbour.
It Just Got Worse in Afghanistan
Hamid Karzai’s decision to postpone the inauguration of the new parliament deepens what was already a political crisis, argues Robert Dreyfuss.