Sublime

The core problem was inevitable. The United States did not expect the end of the Cold War and had not planned for it. It was left in an enormously powerful position and was uncertain of what to do about it.

The difficulty in bringing closure to our wars, and the difficulty in adjusting to our new status, flow from the same source. We are governed by people who know a great deal about narrow subjects, but few who can see the whole.

The Democratic candidate seemed to regard the Arab-Israeli conflict as a root of Middle Eastern disputes and Arab-Israel peace as the key to regional stability.

Second, I look at long-term trends as they affect the major protagonists on the world scene, the United States, the European Union, China, Japan, Russia, and the militant political Islam.

From the point of view of the declining class, both political parties were indifferent if not opposed, in varying degrees, to their interests.

They also advocated a new approach to the Muslim world based on economic development and democratization, but also on “improved relations with more moderate elements of political Islam” and a “narrative of pride in the achievements of Islam.”

I found myself asking the same questions over and over: How many decisions—including ones of great historical significance that impact millions of people—are made by men and women who are driven by personal motives rather than by a desire to do the right thing? How many of our top government officials are driven by personal greed instead of nationa

After U.S. intelligence agencies released evidence showing that Assad’s army had fired canisters of sarin gas into residential neighborhoods on August 21, Obama signaled his intention to punish Assad for crossing America’s one clear “red line.” Yet, despite widespread outrage over the deaths, the White House could not muster the political support f