The removal of Saddam Hussein inadvertently disrupted the existing power distribution between Shia and Sunnis, precipitating a momentous change to the status quo which had long persisted in the Middle East.

The political economy of Middle East is determined by a combination of economic development, state structure, and social actors, but more broadly by concomitant economic, social, political, religious and historical forces.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday appealed to Pope Benedict XVI "to make his voice heard" and use his moral authority to condemn the harsh anti-Israel rhetoric voiced by Iran's hard-line president.

The New York State Assembly will vote on a gay marriage bill on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.