In 2011, the marquee fight of education reform took place in Wisconsin, pitting a newly-elected Republican governor against powerful teachers unions and their allies in the State Senate. Yet while Republicans have been most associated with the  struggles against teacher’s unions, Democrats are fighting them too.The latest example took place in Connecticut, where Democratic Governor […]

The director of national intelligence, James Clapper, has told the Senate that factions within Iran’s leadership — which might or might not include the Supreme Leader — might seek to launch direct attacks on Americans in the US or abroad.This is not the first though it is the most authoritative voice we’ve heard making this […]

By vowing this week to campaign for embattled French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel returns the electoral favor of her long-time ally—reviving the use of the duo’s paparazzi-styled joint nickname: Merkozy. The desperate state of the European debt crisis coupled with the dynamics of France’s upcoming presidential election provide ample reason to doubt […]

Even as the suburbs of Damascus fall in and out of rebel control, Assad is facing a new front in Aleppo, Syria’s most populous city and a commercial and cultural nerve center. The Financial Times reports: The violence in Marjeh [a neighborhood in Aleppo] exploded on Friday, leaving the area fearful and angry at the […]

Embattled on all fronts, Iran’s rulers now look to be shifting their tactics.  The recent visit of UN arms inspectors to Iran went more smoothly than expected, with the head of the mission reporting a “good visit” and announcing plans to return.It would be nice if this was a sign that Iran has decided to […]

Two stories this morning should remind us that the terror threat is still, unfortunately, very real.In London, nine British citizens have pleaded guilty to terror-related charges connected to a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange.  And in Pakistan a university professor sent a package of anthrax to the prime minister’s office.The London plot was […]

As the absurd theater of the Republican primaries continues its itinerary from state to state, it at least serves one useful purpose: It puts to rest the notion that religion no longer matters in American politics. Actually the GOP is now dominated by two varieties of fundamentalism—the religious one, focused single-mindedly on matters south of […]

Putin's return means more of the dismal same for everyone.

The main threats to democracy lie within liberal societies themselves.

Some mythbusting about U.S. policy towards Russia.