American politics is entering a phase in which China is likely to increase in prominence, and where the fundamentals of U.S. policy toward the People’s Republic are likely to be called into question. Over the next two years, the White House’s approach is unlikely to change. But the Democrat-controlled Congress and presidential contenders alike can be expected to critique Administration policy and offer alternatives to it.

Russia demonstrates the "dad of all bombs";
Putin's new choice for premier

New interest in Indonesia;
Russia ramps up UK spy operations

A reshuffled parliamentary deck;
Moscow eyes the moon

A reprieve for Yukos in Europe;
Progress on solving Politkovskaya's murder

From bad to worse in the West Bank; A helping hand from Hezbollah...; ...And a new center of gravity on the Iraqi street; A Saudi-Syrian spat...

Putin's vision of Russian air power;
Clamping down on regional misconduct

A clear preference for a strong president;
Putting Prague on notice over missile defense

New Russian neo-Nazi group draws blood;
Edging out the BBC

Moscow and Tbilisi let the recriminations fly;
The return of "punitive psychiatry"

Deripaska dips his toe in the U.S. auto industry;
Back to Cold War bomber patrols

The "axis" victorious?; A new competitor for Muslim "hearts and minds;" In Jerusalem, another vote of no confidence; Toward a new Central Asian definition of terrorism...

New missile moves from Moscow;
Welcome words on energy investment

Western human rights worries ahead of Russia's elections;
A tussle over the Arctic

Israel: Zero hour approaches; Curbing the virtue committee; Web fears in Damascus; Riyahd's duplicitous role; Al-Qaeda: Back in action...

Defying all of its critics, the Bush administration may still be hanging tough in Iraq, but on another critical front of the 'War on Terror' – Central Asia – Washington appears to be in full strategic retreat.

A strategic reorientation in Israel; The Iranian hand in Iraq; A rising tide of conflict;

The rise of "Hamastan;" Saudi counterterrorism in the age of the internet; Turkey steps away from the ESDP; The Syrian-Iranian symbiosis...

Losing ground in Krgystan; Kazakhstan's king; Cairo's curious counterterrorism tactics; Security progress from Iran in Central Asia...

Turkey in turmoil; Palestinian radicalism goes global; A face-off in Cairo; Israel refocuses on ground forces...