Iran’s new negotiating team signaled few compromises as it resumed talks over freezing its nuclear program amid reports of new uranium enrichment efforts.

Osama bin Laden’s killing helped spawn a crisis in Pakistan and left tough al-Qaeda-affiliated movements in the Mideast and Africa, says CFR’s Linda Robinson.

Haider al-Abadi has unified the country’s Shias, but may struggle to keep their support as he forms a new government and attempts to redress Sunni grievances, says expert Mohamad Bazzi.

The pontiff’s Middle Eastern diplomacy may seem superficial, but it could make a huge practical impact.