With three days of campaigning left, Iran’s presidential election suddenly gets interesting
Election
Crackdown: Malaysia Detains Opposition Figures, Raids Newspapers
The uproar over Malaysia’s disputed election shows few signs of abating after the government charged three outspoken opposition figures with sedition, an antiquated and much maligned law primarily used to quell dissent
Behind the Story: TIME’s Karl Vick Discusses Israel’s Upcoming Elections
TIME’s Karl Vick talks about how pro-settlement groups have emerged as influential voices in Israeli politics and what that means for this month’s elections
Facing Hamas, Israel Rolls the Dice: Will There Be Another Gaza War?
A few parallels exist between Israel’s current Gaza operation and the 22-day war that began in December 2008. But the Middle East is a much different place in late 2012, with the risks more complicated and the politics more charged.
What Should the Middle East Expect from Obama’s Second Term?
“This is my last election,” President Barack Obama told then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in comments picked up by a mike in Seoul last March. “After my election, I have more flexibility.”
The Document That May Define the New Egypt: Why the Constitution Matters
Secularists warn that Islamists have hijacked the drafting process and may give the country over to religious authorities who will determine how Shari‘a affects the law of the land
Five Countries Where the U.S. Election Matters Most
From Syrian rebels to polar bears, global stakeholders hope for changes after Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election
Romney Foreign Policy Speech: ‘Time to Change Course in the Middle East’
There are substantial differences between the president and his challenger on foreign policy, even if they’re neither as stark, nor as numerous, as the Romney camp would have voters believe.
Six More Years: Hugo Chávez Wins a Third Term in Venezuela
It was not as huge a rout as his previous victories, but the Venezuelan president knew how to turn on the electoral charm–and clout–despite a serious bout with cancer.
Boiled Beef and the Billionaire: A Dinner with Georgia’s Future Leader
What an encounter over a bowl of beef stew reveals about Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire whose party triumphed in Oct. 1 elections
Apocalyptic Talk Aside, Israel Has Dialed Down Its Threat to Bomb Iran — for Now
Netanyahu says at present rates of enrichment, Iran’s nuclear program will cross Israel’s red line for military action next spring or summer
Must-Reads from Around the World
Today’s picks include Japanese proposals to phase out nuclear plants, the decline of global child mortality rates and the success of center-ground parties at the Dutch election.
Worried About Israel Bombing Iran Before November? You Can Relax
By demanding a U.S. statement of ‘red lines’ in exchange for Israeli restraint, Netanyahu appears to be seeking a retreat from an untenable position