Vladimir Putin's party didn't do as well as it has previously in parliamentary elections, and that suggests he will face growing challenges running up to the presidential poll in March. Following his two terms as president during the last decade, Putin is currently serving as prime minister and has been the most powerful figure in the country since 2000.

The U.S., E.U., Turkey and others have imposed sanctions on the Syrian regime. But the rapid developments and escalating violence in the region leave many wondering what, if anything, the U.S. can and should do to stop the violence.

More than 80 countries are convening in Germany on Monday to discuss Afghanistan as international troops prepare to withdraw in 2014. Fariba Nawa has documented the devastating effects of the opium trade on Afghanistan — her home country. She speaks with host Michel Martin about the conference and her hopes and fears for Afghanistan's future.

Russia's ruling political party fared worse than expected in a parliamentary election Sunday. The vote is being viewed as a setback for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, which retained power but has a weaker majority in Parliament. For more on the election, Steve Inskeep speaks with Masha Lipman, an analyst at the Carnegie Moscow Center.