By Parag Khanna

With a recount announced for the Iranian election, and opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi demanding a fresh election, the political situation in Iran remains on a knife's edge. We're witnessing the mobilizing power of anti-incumbent forces, particularly youth, who are fed up, and the role of technology in getting voters to the ballot boxes and out on the street.

Continue reading "Could Iran crisis promote Mideast peace?" »

By Parag Khanna

Having an inept president can do more to rejuvenate democracy than years of MTV "Rock the Vote" campaigns. Certainly that is the case in the United States, where a combination of Bush fatigue and Obama's inspiration led to an American version of the Arab world's "Enough!" campaigns. In Iran as well, a vibrant political debate is taking place surrounding the current election, doing more for democracy than any covert U.S. funding for Iranian civil society ever could.

Continue reading "Army of One? How about a Swat Team?" »

By Parag Khanna

The remote, rebellious western provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang are China's poorest, but they hold vast natural wealth which Beijing is determined to control. On a 3,000-mile trek I saw how far the government is bending the whole central Asian region to its will.

Continue reading "China's Final Frontier" »