As governments confront many challenges that are global in scale, leaders find they must cooperate in responding to financial, climate, terrorism and other crises. As a result, a global audience has developed keen interest in how and why nations select their leaders. On one hand, citizens expect sensible and collective action, transparency and fair representation; on the other hand, citizens and leaders fret about compromising security, sovereignty or loss of control. Diplomats and global organizations like the United Nations aim to achieve a balance, even as global communications allow citizens in democracies or authoritarian states to steer attention to issues. Attention to citizen demands and multilateral cooperation contribute to stability.

Why There's No Turning Back in the Middle East

Youthful Middle East won’t let go of anti-monarchist ideas without a fight
Fareed Zakaria
February 22, 2011

Revolutionary Tide Sees New Friends for China

For Arab regimes, trade with China could trump old alliances with the West
Mei Xinyu
February 22, 2011

Power of New Nationalism

Middle Eastern youths see huge wealth divide brought by regimes that don’t serve their interests
Nayan Chanda
February 21, 2011

China to Block UN Report on North Korean Nuclear Capability

China stands by North Korea, despite its uranium enrichment program that violates UN sanctions
February 21, 2011

What Somali Pirates Reveal About the Global Economy

Somalian pirates give new meaning to cut-throat business practices
Matthew Lynn
February 18, 2011