Charles Recknagel is standards editor for RFE/RL.
Syria says it accepts Russia's proposal to put its chemical weapons under international control and then destroy them. But how practical is it to actually implement Russia's plan?
The White House, and now the French government, say striking Syria is necessary not just to enforce "red lines" against using chemical weapons but also to maintain the credibility of Western lines in the sand when it comes to Iran's controversial nuclear activities.
August 30 marked the 50th anniversary of the Moscow-Washington hotline. Born at the height of the Cold War, it still exists today -- even though it is rarely used.
For a long time, Syria's mixed Arab- and Kurd-populated northern areas were spared the fighting wracking the rest of the country. Not anymore.
Is surfing the Internet good or bad for brain development? When should children begin using computers? Such questions are at the heart of a debate over the health risks versus benefits of using digital media.
Nuri al-Maliki is supposed to be unifying his country. But the Iraqi prime minister mostly seems busy consolidating his hold on power as sectarian violence rages.
Saudi Arabia wants Assad out of Syria. And it's ready to use its economic clout to do it.
How will outgoing Iranian president be remembered? Perhaps for his unyielding personal style.
Russia may hope to discredit Sergei Magnitsky by declaring him guilty posthumously, but that's not likely to discourage those working to internationalize the U.S. "Magnitsky list."
Both the United States and the EU see a free trade agreement as the way to jump-start their economies. So why does Europe’s film industry want out?
After years of gains, the price of gold is steadily dropping. Here are five things to know about why the price is going down.
The Nabucco pipeline was once the keystone of EU hopes to obtain large amounts of natural gas from the Caspian and the Middle East. But as the developers of a key oil field are expected to announce that they have chosen a rival pipeline, Nabucco's future may be in doubt.
As U.S. President Barack Obama unveils a major new initiative to curb industrial greenhouse emissions, a crisis in Asia is highlighting another major source of atmospheric pollution -- burning forests for agricultural land.
The outbreak of a deadly new virus in the Middle East, mostly in Saudi Arabia, is raising concerns it could endanger hajj pilgrims to Mecca. But experts say that for now only normal health precautions seem necessary.
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad steps down in August surrounded by enemies after eight years in office. What does his future hold?
Iran's weak economy has dominated its presidential election campaign. But there is little reason to believe any of the candidates have a solution.
In Iran the supreme leader, not the president, makes the final decisions and has control of the military. So, does it really matter who is elected on June 14?
Key reformist leaders have thrown their weight behind Hassan Rohani as their presidential candidate. Whether he could be elected is another question.
There is no declared reformist running in Iran's June 14 presidential election. But out of a field of handpicked candidates, Hassan Rohani may be the candidate reformist-minded voters could support.
Iran's June 14 presidential election is officially limited to eight candidates. But Internet activists are organizing a broader poll to ask who voters really want.
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