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The U.S. government has entrusted billions of dollars in Iraqi reconstruction funds to outside contractors. But how is all that money actually being spent? In this week’s List, FP takes a look at some of the major missteps made by private firms in Iraq.

The United States is sounding the alarm about a possible coup in Lebanon, and Hezbollah is threatening to flood the streets with its supporters if it doesn’t get more cabinet seats. FP spoke recently with regional expert David Schenker about the country’s fragile politics, whether Hezbollah is rearming, and Syria's true intentions.

With control of the U.S. Congress hanging in the balance in one of the most hotly contested midterms in recent memory, foreign-policy issues are taking center stage. In this week’s List, FP takes a look at the races that will decide the future of the U.S. Senate. From immigration to the world’s nuclear crises, here’s how the candidates stack up.

The former Soviet republic is determined to antagonize Russia, and it thinks the United States has its back. It had better think again.

The Bush administration’s new space policy is more aggressive and unilateral than its predecessors. Some critics warn that the policy’s stated refusal to sign arms-control agreements might fuel a space arms race with countries like China. In this week’s Seven Questions, FP spoke with space security expert Theresa Hitchens to find out what this new move means for the final frontier.

For years, the smartest and most ambitious students in poor countries had to venture abroad for a world-class education. But as their countries play catch up, several schools have quietly snuck up on the world’s most prestigious universities. In this week’s List, FP takes at look at some of the developing-country institutions that are producing talent to compete with the best of the West.

With the Senate still up in the air and Democrats in control of the House, what might a Democrat-controlled Congress actually mean for U.S. foreign policy? FP recently asked Washington insiders, ex-politicians, and pundits to look beyond November 7.

The first step for the countries confronting North Korea is to recognize that their diplomatic strategies haven’t worked.

This summer, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek traveled to Africa to report about culture and history. He wound up becoming a (reluctant) symbol for international press freedom. FP spoke with him about the Darfur crisis and about being detained for 34 days in one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

With its nuclear weapons test confirmed by U.S. and Russian intelligence, North Korea can now claim to be the ninth nuclear-armed state. That could spur other states in Asia and the Middle East to join the club. Who will be No. 10? The List takes a look at some of the frontrunners.

Every time the United States takes on an adversary, its politicians like to draw comparisons to Britain on the eve of World War II. But after more than 60 years, isn’t it time for a new analogy? After all, appeasement was a doctrine born out of military weakness, and today the United States is stronger than ever.

North Korea’s apparent nuclear test this week is still sending shockwaves through the international community. Is it just a bump on the road to a negotiated solution? Or is it the beginning of a spiral into conflict? FP spoke with Korea expert Marcus Noland to find out.