In one month, the Lebanese people will go to the polls to elect a new parliament. They will do so under a new electoral law and administration agreed upon by all political contestants. This represents a significant step toward greater transparency and confidence in the process and the development of Lebanon and its institutions as a sovereign state.

By Gazelle Javantash

During a recent visit to Iran for the Nowrouz (Iranian new year) holiday, I had the opportunity to sit with family, students, workers and other average Iranians. While Nowrouz is not usually a time when politics becomes the center of conversation, this year was different. As I traveled across Iran, people were buzzing about the upcoming presidential election, the state of the economy and the shocking withdrawal of former president Mohammad Khatami from the presidential race just three days before the New Year holiday.

By Geneive Abdo
Iran Analyst, The Century Foundation

In Iran’s dynamic political landscape, few issues unite conservative and reformist leaders, and even fewer topics inspire broad-based public enthusiasm. But Iran’s nuclear program has proven to unify a country that is habitually – some might say, congenitally – divided.

By Kaveh-Cyrus Sanandaji
Middle East Center, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford

• “There are no restrictions and no law on the nomination and assessment of women candidates.”
  – Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaye, Guardian Council spokesman, quoted by Mehr News Agency, April 11