Afghanistan’s unity government has made progress on reform but remains dogged by endemic corruption and a resilient insurgency.

A leading Iranian expert, Shaul Bakhash, says a speech by former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and a call for a referendum by former President Mohammad Khatami have given new life to the opp…

Elizabeth Rubin, a journalist who has reported extensively on Afghanistan, says beyond the presidential elections, U.S. officials must become more closely involved in improving Afghan governance or f…

A conservative candidate seems likely to win Iran’s presidential election this week, but the reform movement may yet be energized by the remaining moderate contender, says CFR’s Ray Takeyh.

After the disqualification of popular former president Rafsanjani, it’s unclear which of the remaining, mostly conservative candidates will triumph in the June presidential election, says expert Fari…