Topic: The Brookings Institution

Honduras coup spotlights Latin America's growing instability

Unrest has also erupted in Guatemala and Nicaragua in the past year, and the region is dealing with powerful organized crime and drug traffickers.

Honduras: OAS chief may seek compromise

Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza arrives Friday. Micheletti, who heads the interim government, has said he would be open to early elections and a referendum.

Briefing: Indian Ocean as new strategic playing field

Emerging economic superpowers China and India may compete here. What should be the US role?

Leftist leaders hold emergency meeting over Honduras coup

Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, and other leaders met in Nicaragua Sunday night to offer a response to the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya.

States weigh setting one bar for students

A 'common' standard for K-12 education is in the works.

For Obama, a careful 'outrage' at Iran

The president responded to critics who accused him of not condemning Iran's crackdown of pro-democracy protesters. But he also kept his options open.

How Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, sees the world

Ayatollah Khamenei has preserved his view of the revolution in postelection clampdown, analysts say – but perhaps at great cost to the office he occupies.

Iraq: forgotten and in trouble?

Saturday's massive bomb in Kirkuk, combined with political gridlock, raises questions about how ready Iraq is for the withdrawal of US troops from cities by June 30.

Obama walks fine line on Iran protests

The president offers little support for protestors to avoid alienating Iran’s supreme leader ahead of nukes talks.

Wednesday's coverage: a united front for the US and South Korea, continuing protests in Iran, and new oversight for the US financial industry

GOP weakened by demographic, political forces

Experts say changing geographic and demographic trends are further endangering an already-beleaguered Republican party.

ECONOMIC SCENE: Why does healthcare reform founder?

Cutting costs would mean trimming pay for too many professionals.

Obama promises 600,000 new jobs from stimulus spending

Only $37 billion of the $787 billion has been spent so far. Confusing provisions and the sheer size of the bill have created delays.

Across Middle East, a sense of possibility after Obama speech

While they expect action, many warmed to words that bespoke a knowledge and appreciation of Islamic culture.

Will OAS decision to readmit Cuba change US-Latin America relations?

Cuba has shown no desire to rejoin. Socialist states like Venezuela and Nicaragua say they want to form an association that excludes the US.

How far will Obama's words of respect carry US-Muslim relations?

A new tone can defuse 'residual anger' among Muslims over the Iraq war, but it's likely to hit its limits in dealing with Iran.

Obama vs. bin Laden: A battle for Muslim hearts

Two recordings from the Al Qaeda chief and his deputy may signal that Obama's overtures, particularly his speech in Cairo Thursday, have put the organization on the defensive.

In Mideast, Obama faces tough crowd: Here's what they want to hear

The president stopped in Saudi Arabia, where 79 percent of residents view him favorably, on Wednesday. But in Cairo tomorrow, he'll address a skeptical audience of 1.4 billion Muslims.

Ahead of Obama's Cairo speech, Arab leaders see window of opportunity for peace

King Abdullah II of Jordan, embraced by the West and his Arab allies, is emerging as a facilitator for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

North Korea's next move: long-range missile tests?

Satellite photos show activity at a testing site, say US officials. A successful launch would signal progress toward a nuclear weapons arsenal.

What next for North Korea's nukes?

The May 25 test provided the world with a host of data about North Korea's bomb-making abilities. But only Pyongyang knows if the test was a success.

The Monitor's View: What's in a name? Ask José and Muhammad

Demographic data confirm the world is changing, but in unexpected ways

A Rust Belt city tries to shrink its way to success

Youngstown, Ohio’s groundbreaking plan for revival collides with recession and hard choices about neighborhood survival.

Is diplomacy with Iran futile?

Experts gathered to debate US policy toward Iran, and then let the audience decide.

Briefing: Aerial drones as weapons of war

They have been used to attack militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan. But are their benefits outweighed by backlash on the ground?