Increased militant activity on the peninsula threatens Cairo's credibility, Hamas' rule in Gaza and Israel's southern border.
The battle for Al-Qusayr is part of a larger effort to control the Homs governorate.
The country remains stable, but ethnic divisions within its political parties show signs of intensifying.
Despite significant political, bureaucratic and legal hurdles, Brazil has managed to overhaul its oil and gas sector.
This is an internal Stratfor document listing significant meetings and events for the next week.
Croatia will likely be the last country to join the bloc for several years.
Admitting more observer countries will raise the council's profile but will not necessarily facilitate policy decisions.
Beijing faces an employment dilemma as it rebalances its economy.
