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In mosques from Cairo to Jakarta, influential Muslim clerics shape the opinions of the faithful. Their edicts can make or break governments, drive markets, and even incite violence. In this week’s List, FP presents a guide to some of Islam’s leading holy men.

Pakistan may be on the frontlines in the war on terror, but is it doing everything in its power to deny terrorists safe haven? FP sat down with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri during his recent visit to Washington to discuss Kashmir, the problems in neighboring Afghanistan, and the global perception of President Pervez Musharraf.

The annual summit of the Group of Eight industrialized countries is the picture of multilateralism at work. But behind the lofty public agenda, there’s also a lot of bilateral horse-trading. FP takes a look at what Bush hoped to elicit from his fellow G8 leaders and what he’ll have to do to get what he wants.

Reporting from Iraq has become one of journalism’s most difficult and dangerous jobs. FP spoke recently with Rod Nordland, who served as Newsweek’s Baghdad bureau chief for two years, about the challenge of getting out of the Green Zone to get the scoop.

Every summer, Coney Island hosts an American tradition: Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. And in recent years, the 90-year-old competition has lived up to the “international” in its name. FP spoke recently with competitive-eating expert George Shea about the globalization of gluttony, the worldwide future of the sport, and whether or not world champion Takeru Kobayashi can defend his title.

In recent weeks, Pyongyang has reportedly expressed its intention to test a ballistic missile in the near future. The threat has put the United States, Japan, and other nations on edge. FP sat down with veteran journalist and author Don Oberdorfer for his take on the North Korean missile test, the prospects for a diplomatic solution, and the questionable sanity of Kim Jong Il.

What if Israelis and Palestinians forgot about borders and security fences? What if the long and bloody road to creating a two-state solution was abandoned in favor of a new concept of statehood? It’s called a “dual state,” and it’s more realistic than you may think.

Since his election last year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has become the public face of the Islamic Republic’s growing conservatism. But he’s not the only policymaker in the country. Around him, a sometimes fractious collection of leaders is jostling for influence. FP presents a guide to the ambitions—nuclear and otherwise—of some of the key figures in Persian politics.

Mexico’s summer is especially hot this year as a tight presidential race draws to a close. FP spoke with Michael Shifter, Latin America Expert, about the campaign, widespread disappointment with Vicente Fox, and the state of Mexican democracy.

In naming a successor to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, U.S. intelligence is once again getting it wrong. Is it an honest mistake, or a deliberate manipulation of the facts?

Before the U.S. military killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq was the face of the insurgency. Yet his group was probably responsible for only 5–10 percent of the insurgent attacks. What about the other 90 percent? FP takes a look at the other major insurgent groups in Iraq—who they are, what they are trying to accomplish, and which ones are more likely to negotiate than fight to the death.

An emboldened Taliban could make for a bloody summer in Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai’s government is struggling to fight back. NATO troops are arriving in the country’s southern badlands to help keep order. Will they be enough? FP spoke with Said T. Jawad, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States, about the challenge of securing peace in a war-torn land.