Charles Recknagel is standards editor for RFE/RL.
The Nabucco pipeline was once the keystone of EU hopes to obtain large amounts of natural gas from the Caspian and the Middle East. But as the developers of a key oil field are expected to announce that they have chosen a rival pipeline, Nabucco's future may be in doubt.
As U.S. President Barack Obama unveils a major new initiative to curb industrial greenhouse emissions, a crisis in Asia is highlighting another major source of atmospheric pollution -- burning forests for agricultural land.
The outbreak of a deadly new virus in the Middle East, mostly in Saudi Arabia, is raising concerns it could endanger hajj pilgrims to Mecca. But experts say that for now only normal health precautions seem necessary.
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad steps down in August surrounded by enemies after eight years in office. What does his future hold?
Iran's weak economy has dominated its presidential election campaign. But there is little reason to believe any of the candidates have a solution.
In Iran the supreme leader, not the president, makes the final decisions and has control of the military. So, does it really matter who is elected on June 14?
Key reformist leaders have thrown their weight behind Hassan Rohani as their presidential candidate. Whether he could be elected is another question.
There is no declared reformist running in Iran's June 14 presidential election. But out of a field of handpicked candidates, Hassan Rohani may be the candidate reformist-minded voters could support.
Iran's June 14 presidential election is officially limited to eight candidates. But Internet activists are organizing a broader poll to ask who voters really want.
The Lebanese Shi'ite Hizballah militia has scored a first victory in Syria by helping government forces retake the strategic town of Qusayr. But its victory only raises the risk of a wider regional war.
As secularists accuse Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of pushing Islamism on Turkey, their anger is fueling the country's largest violent protests since he took power in 2002.
Russia's S-300 missile system could dramatically change the stakes in the Syrian conflict if it is sent to Damascus, which Russia has signed a contract to do. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel lays out five things to know about the air-defense system.
Turkmenistan shows little tolerance for Islamists as it tries to guard against the extremism that bedevils other Central Asian states. But will its tough approach sow the seeds for future problems?
Islamic banks are rising as an alternative to conventional Western banks, partly due to their success in weathering the current economic crisis. How do they work?
Iraqi volunteers -- both Sunni and Shi'ite -- are slipping into Syria. There, they fight on opposite sides, raising fears the war will spill back to Iraq.
India and Pakistan may have tense relations, but a 22-year-old Pakistan woman and two Indian friends have shown they can rise above their differences by ascending Mount Everest together.
In parts of Central Asia, obsolete farm machinery keeps agricultural production low. A look at Kyrgyzstan shows how much.
Western countries say they want firm evidence that chemical weapons have been used in Syria before they decide how to respond. But getting such evidence may prove difficult.
Iran and the world powers are meeting in Almaty on April 5 and 6 to once more seek a solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis. Here are five things to know about the talks.
North Korea's announcement that it will restart its nuclear reactor has sent tensions soaring yet higher in its standoff with the West. RFE/RL looks at some of the possible reasons behind the move.
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