Germany’s role in the ongoing Euro crisis is a reminder of its economic superpower status in Europe. But Germany plays another leading role: defining European policy toward Russia. Brussels and other European capitals often follow Germany’s lead when it comes to dealing with Russia. And with the United States distracted with its recent election and […]

In Germany, 91 percent of the electorate would have voted for Obama. This comes close to the “Enver Hoxha Standard”, the 98 percent regularly won by Albania’s eternal dictator in the Soviet days. Barack Obama’s harvest in Germany is the mother of all landslides, rendered even more awesome by the miniscule 4 percent Mitt Romney […]

We’re Not Broke, a new award-winning documentary, may convince viewers that the American tax-collection system is even more compromised than they thought. The title may elicit objections from deficit hawks, but the film shows that Uncle Sam has enormous assets in addition to its towering debts; the U.S. Treasury just isn’t taking in nearly as […]

Midway through September, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign ran into some turbulence. Captured on a clandestine camera, Romney was found to have disparaged the alleged entitlement mentality of the 47 percent of Americans who pay no income tax. But even as Romney’s liberal critics rejoiced in his embarrassment, they seemed strangely unapologetic about their own brand […]

Thomas Jefferson based his hope for the new American Republic on “the common sense and good judgment of the American people.” This faith had its roots in the ancient republican principles of civic duty and citizen participation. From ancient Athens forward, both duty and participation were considered necessary to guarantee that the republic, every republic, […]

Here’s some worrying news: A new German public opinion survey shows an uptick in “right-wing extremist” attitudes, especially in the East and especially among the young. Up to 15 percent express Xenophobia, anti-Semitism and longing for a right-wing authoritarian ruler (dare we say Leader?).As a point of reference, that’s a little less than half the […]

For years analysts have held that democratic elections are key to spurring economic development in Africa and therefore ought to receive greater U.S. support. But the African democracy consensus is beginning to crack, and even Kofi Annan is skeptical. A new report by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), with Annan as chairman, tells us […]

When Obama was first elected, our national press breathlessly likened him to Abraham Lincoln. Thankfully, the Lincoln comparisons have disappeared, but a strange new similarity between the two presidencies has emerged. In the wake of Obama’s reelection, some pathetic loons in South Carolina and Texas are trying to organize secession from the union.Talking Points Memo has […]

Gangs of lawyers in Lahore are using their fists to settle disputes, the Washington Post reports. At least fifteen cases have come to light this year of “marauding” lawyers beating up people involved in judicial cases, including police officers. “Storm troopers,” Ayaz Amir, a politician and commentator, called them in a June column. “Time was when […]

In the shadow of L’Affaire Petraeus, the New York Times ran an op-ed by Steven Kinzer which adds some needed perspective to much of the overheated media coverage these days. Kinzer is the author of an upcoming book on the Dulles brothers, the younger of whom, Allen, was the head of the CIA from 1953 to […]