In an email interview, Arthur Boutellis, a research fellow and adviser to the Peace Operations and Africa programs at the International Peace Institute, described the state of Cote d’Ivoire’s security sector reform and the obstacles to further progress. more

In an email interview, John M. Kirk, a professor at Canada’s Dalhousie University, explained the history of Cuba’s medical diplomacy and its importance to Cuba’s slowly reforming economy. more

Last week, Efrain Rios Montt, the former Guatemalan dictator who ruled the country during the most violent years of its civil war, was found guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide and sentenced to 80 years in prison. more

In an email interview, Michael M. Gunter, a professor of political science at Tennessee Technological University who focuses on Kurdish issues, discussed the state of internal Kurdish politics. more

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is beginning talks to form a new government in Pakistan after winning the country’s general elections held over the weekend. more

The United States and Russia have announced a diplomatic initiative that would bring together representatives from the Syrian regime and opposition forces to negotiate a framework to end the Syrian conflict. more

In an email interview, Rachel Utley, an expert on French defense and security policies at the University of Leeds, explained the context and implications of the defense white paper France issued late last month. more

Since the narrow victory of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski in elections held last month, tensions have escalated in the country, most recently with rival marches in the streets. more

In an email interview, Mark N. Katz, a professor of government and politics at George Mason University who focuses on Russian foreign policy, explained the recent evolution of the defense relationship between Russia and Israel. more

In elections over the weekend, the ruling coalition in Malaysia, which has been in power for 56 years, won 133 out of 222 seats in parliament, despite apparently having lost the popular vote. more