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.

East Asia’s Troubled Waters – Part II

Japan and South Korea clash over fish, iffy energy resources and two rocks
Peter Beck
April 27, 2006

A Setback for Democracy

The US-led invasion in Iraq interrupted the Middle East’s gradual movement toward liberalization
Dilip Hiro
May 4, 2006

East Asia’s Troubled Waters – Part I

History aside, Chinese-Japanese conflict now plays out over gas and oil reserves in the East China Sea
Wenran Jiang
April 25, 2006

The US and China: Friends or Foes? – Part I

Confronting a long list of major issues, the presidents might go beyond cant at Washington summit
David Shambaugh
April 18, 2006

Nuclear Pact Launches India Into Uncharted Waters

The historic nuclear deal with the US could have an unpredictable and serious outcome
Pratap Bhanu Mehta
March 7, 2006

An Interview with Thomas L. Friedman

Thomas L. Friedman talks about the next edition and updates to his bestselling book, "The World Is Flat."
February 23, 2006

Modi's Bangladesh Deal: Small Footprint, Big Impact

Bangladesh and India settle border dispute
Nayan Chanda
December 9, 2014

China, Russia and the Sinatra Doctrine

Russia and China want to control neighbors without international interference
Gideon Rachman
December 1, 2014

Barack Obama: “We Are and Always Will Be a Nation of Immigrants”

The measures could shield about half of all undocumented immigrants from deportation
Paul Lewis
November 21, 2014

China, The New Indispensable Nation?

China and the US, each nervous about the other, must work together to resolve global problems
Steven Mufson
November 19, 2014

The Biggest Loser in US Election Is the Climate

Most Republicans do not view stemming climate change as priority
Brad Plumer
November 17, 2014