Gaza and Jerusalem were promised to both the Arabs and the Jews. They're still fighting nearly a century later. Read more»

Could a Chinese crash do the kind of damage that the U.S. property market’s bust did in 2008? Read more»

Trading near historic lows, copper augers more trouble for emerging markets. Measured by the classic gold standard — how much copper one can buy for an ounce of gold — the current copper price of $2.94 per pound looks something like the Great Depression. Read more»

It began inauspiciously enough — a prosaic start to the year that would launch the bloodiest war the world had ever known; one which, in one form or another, has raged on in different, ever more insidious forms for a century now. The idea that World War I can be viewed merely between 1914 and 1918 is absurd. It is the war that has never ended. The events of a century ago continue to define the modern world and drive its bloody conflicts. Read more»

The world’s largest corporations, many of them based in the United States, enter the new year with real trepidation. Autumn’s drumbeat of better U.S. economic news — lower jobless rates, nearly nonexistent inflation, a recovering real estate market, lower energy costs, safer banks and record high share prices — should have America’s CEOs and their shareholders popping champagne corks this holiday season. Read more»

Even as the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the U.S. military remains embroiled in what seems to be a losing battle: the fight against the growing number of suicides by active duty troops, and Iraq or Afghanistan veterans. Read more» 1

Focus may be on U.S. military drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the larger strategic change underway is taking place in Europe, where American troops have been stationed in large numbers since World War II. Read more»

Perhaps, as Michael Corleone said, “revenge is a dish best served cold.” But the emotions Osama bin Laden’s death evoked in the city most scarred by his life on Monday seemed white hot. The city exhibits joy in retribution where such an emotion is rarely felt with a killing. Read more»

If anyone has any doubt about the potentially devastating consequences “leaked” diplomatic cables can have, the opening sentences of the infamous “Zimmerman Telegram” should lay them to rest. Read more» 3

With the Obama mandate of 2008 slipping away, Congressional Democrats hope to find a more practical species of Republican sitting in their assigned seats later this month when the "lame duck" Congress reconvenes in Washington. Read more»

The anniversary, again, is upon us. Each year since 2001, I've made a pilgrimage to the site, in part to pay tribute to people I know who died there, in part to gauge how raw the wounds opened that day remain — both personally and nationally. This year, Americans are focused on a trumped-up, hateful debate, while the important things go unmentioned. Read more» 1

I can’t help feeling that we’re seeing the beginning of a campaign to railroad the United States, one way or another, into attacking Iran – or of cleaning up an unfinished mess created by a much smaller Israeli strike. Don't be mistaken, air strikes against Iran means war with Iran, and that war will rock the world. Read more»

Pakistani intelligence fooled only those who didn't pay attention. Read more»

McChrystal aside, the critical battle for Afghanistan is playing out right now — and we’re not winning. Read more» 1

Russia blesses the revolution in Kyrgyzstan, leaving America and China on the outside looking in at events in Bishkek. Read more»