Morocco’s Party of Justice and Development offers the authors a rare opportunity to evaluate an Islamist party’s approach to the economy that can counter its own policies.

Who speaks for Islam and who holds religious authority in the Middle East? These questions strike at the heart of the relationship between religion and politics in the Muslim world, for whoever can legitimately claim religious authority has an opportunity to shape the extent to which religion is politicized in the region. Our study examines this issue by identifying the channels of influence between religious leaders who claim to hold Islamic authority and individual Muslims across the region. The findings depict a complex religious space in the Middle East that reflects its citizens’ nuanced approach toward religion and the religion-politics relationship.

As we look to the future of space travel, we should heed the lessons we are learning on the International Space Station, be realistic about space exploration beyond Earth orbit, build on the foundation of the station and our partnerships, and do human exploration from the onset together.

Former head of NASA Johnson Space Center George W.S. Abbey explains why the space shuttle program was, and still is, vital to the maintenance of the International Space Station.