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Golden Dawn: five things to know about Greece's 'neo-Nazi' party

Golden Dawn, a far-right, racist political party in Greece, has been the target of a major crackdown by the Greek government. Why?

Optimism for US-Iran deal peaks: 5 things to watch for

A historic phone call today between Presidents Obama and Rouhani could signal a new chapter in US-Iran relations.

A look at global population trends

Too many people is a big problem, but too few is a concern as well.

Why a Merkel victory in Germany's elections isn't a sure thing

The chancellor remains immensely popular among the public, but the German electoral system means that she still faces hurdles in this weekend's election.

Cutting college costs: five questions about Obama鈥檚 proposal

President Obama unveiled a plan Aug. 22 to make college more affordable. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 price the middle class and everybody working to get into the middle class out of a college education,鈥� he said. Here鈥檚 a look at the plan and affordability efforts.

11 who leaked to news media ... and faced espionage charges

Under President Obama, seven people have been prosecuted under the Espionage Act for leaking classified documents to the news media, compared with three during all previous presidencies. Here's a breakdown of prosecutions by administration.

One year after South Africa's Marikana massacre: why, what, and how

The shooting of dozens of striking miners shocked the nation, and continues to reverberate through South Africa's labor movement and economy.

China cracks down on critics

Beijing vows to end corruption 鈥� but on its own terms.

EU ends arms embargo on Syria. What does that mean for rebels?

The EU allowed the arms embargo to expire in June, but said it would not take action until August. That day is here.

Surging violence in Iraq

A spate of car bombings and simultaneous attacks on two Iraqi prisons, which freed 500 prisoners, could end the vestiges of restraint preventing political tensions from exploding.

GMOs and a potential US-Europe pact

How a food fight could derail talks on a lucrative free-trade treaty.

Osama bin Laden's life in Pakistan

A leaked report reveals new details, as well as a nation's vulnerabilities.

What's behind the attacks on Shiites in Pakistan?

More than 300 Shiite Muslims have been killed in four major attacks in Pakistan since the start of 2013. Country-wide protests among Shiites and supporters have, however, yet to result in a full-scale crackdown on extremist militants.  

Five things to understand about Turkey's protests

The unrest is unlikely to become a 鈥淭urkish Spring,鈥� but it is testing democracy in Turkey.

How Russia views nuclear disarmament - and why it may resist

In his speech today in Berlin, President Obama called for the US and Russia to cut their strategic nuclear arsenals by a third. But the proposal may meet a chilly reception in Moscow.

NSA surveillance 101: What US intelligence agencies are doing, what they know

US intelligence agencies are gathering massive amounts of US telephone calling data and social media data on both foreigners and citizens. 锘縃ere are seven questions and answers about what is known so far.

Policing 'blood' diamonds: the watchdog Kimberley Process explained

Liberty Reserve money-laundering case: five questions answered

The case against Liberty Reserve, a digital currency provider, may be the largest money-laundering case in US history. Here's what you need to know.

IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here鈥檚 an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.

China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon

The US Department of Defense is carefully monitoring the growth of China鈥檚 military. These four items are currently at the top of their list.

Chemical weapons 101: Six facts about sarin and Syria鈥檚 stockpile

Bashar Assad almost certainly crossed a 'red line' by using sarin or some other chemical weapon against his own people, President Obama said in April. The casualty toll from the latest suspected use suggests sarin henceforth will be associated with Syria and Mr. Assad. 

Chechnya: How a remote Russian republic became linked with terrorism

The main suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, a Russian republic that has been the scene of cyclical revolts and brutal crackdowns for the past 200 years.

Palestinian Prisoners' Day: Breaking down the controversy

This year's commemoration is particularly noteworthy because of two recent high-profile deaths in prison that drew tremendous outcry from Palestinians. The Monitor explains.

UN arms trade treaty: Will it receive US Senate approval?

Why the new initiative is so controversial among US conservatives.

North Korean war talk: hot air or serious threat?

Pyongyang has cut the last military hotline to the South and says it's ready to target US bases in Hawaii, Guam, and South Korea. So why is there no sign the North is really girding for war?