Nov. 6, 2017 Obstacles that could keep the king’s chosen successor from taking the throne are being removed.

Nov. 6, 2017 The push for independence this time will have ramifications in Spain and in Europe that will be felt for generations to come.

Nov. 3, 2017 No region is more vulnerable to the Islamic State than is Central Asia.

Nov. 3, 2017 Geography affects the development of all nations in profound ways, but rarely has it done so more strikingly than in Spain. Today the country is renowned for its beaches, but its defining geographic feature is its mountains. It is the existence – and more important, the location – of these mountains that has fostered the distinct, regional communities that make Spain so difficult to govern.

Though mountains are Spain’s most conspicuous geographic feature, they are not the only one to impede government efforts to unify the country. The weather patterns in Spain differ profoundly from region to region. Northwestern Spain gets a great deal of rain each year – sometimes as much as 80 inches a year. Compare that to the Southern Meseta, which sometimes sees as little as 10 inches of rain per year. Central and southern Spain are much dryer, though the Guadalquivir River Valley is a notable exception. Northeastern Spain has comparatively less rainfall too, but Catalonia has the Ebro River (and Valencia the Turia River) for irrigation.

Nov. 2, 2017 A defense cooperation initiative between Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. is being resurrected, this time on firmer grounds.

Nov. 2, 2017 Catalonia is only the latest reminder of how difficult it is to forge a single identity in such a diverse country.

Nov. 1, 2017 Public statements don’t guarantee a change in policy.

Oct. 31, 2017 Analysis should begin with a framework.

Oct. 30, 2017 Iran is in a much better position to capitalize on the group’s retreat.

Oct. 30, 2017 Until the United States decides what it will do about North Korea, its policy in Asia will remain hostage to Pyongyang.

Oct. 27, 2017 The region may look different as new alignments form and old ones fade, but the pursuit of interests at the expense of others will remain.

Oct. 26, 2017 Xi Jinping appears to have achieved what he wanted. But is it enough to solve China’s problems?