We are living through a golden age of financial sanctions, but golden ages come to an end. Because the US has such a big role in world finance, the United States government can use access to its financial system as a stick to force other countries to comply with US policy. This fact gives the […]

Around this time of year, students graduating college are told how smart they are, how much they’ve accomplished, all the great stuff they’re about to do — “Oh, the places you’ll go!” Bret Stephens has other advice, and it’s probably the best advice any graduating student — especially the Class of 2012 — could get. […]

Observers of the bloodbath unfolding in Syria may be tempted to criticize the administration’s equivocation and inaction. But Bloomberg columnist Jeffrey Goldberg begs to differ: The Obama administration hasn’t helped to arm the rebels, nor has it created safe havens for persecuted dissidents. But it has done something far more important: It has provided the Syrian […]

The image was a triumph for India: Secretary Hillary Clinton standing on stage next to her counterpart, Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna, chastising Pakistan for not doing enough to stop terrorists operating within its borders, and not arresting the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Hafiz Saeed, who walks free in Pakistan despite a US price […]

Today is May 8; on this date in 1945 the unconditional surrender of all remaining German forces went into effect. Still celebrated in many countries as a national holiday, it is a date we must never forget.It is a day to remember the millions of victims the Nazi tyranny claimed, the millions of civilians who […]

Following an inconclusive election, the situation in Greece is worsening by the day and continuing to ripple through Europe’s markets: The euro fell and bank shares came under pressure in early trading as investors digested the implication of the Greek vote and the prospect of a challenge to Ms Merkel’s eurozone austerity after Socialist François Hollande […]

The effects of the Bo Xilai purge continue to ripple through elite Chinese politics as the country undergoes a once-in-a-decade leadership transition. Modernizers like Wen Jiabao want to capitalize on Bo’s downfall and extend their influence throughout the highest levels of Chinese politics, particularly by cleaning out their hardliner rivals at the Central Military Commission.The CMC […]

Fellow AI blogger Francis Fukuyama has an important post up this morning that puts the Greek and euro crises in historical context. Frank makes the important point that Greece’s membership in the euro required deep political and social changes in Greece that lacked (and lack) the necessary support in Greek society. It was an act […]

In a surprise move late last night that confounded weeks of expert punditry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) announced the formation of a unity government. The Likud leader had been expected to call for early elections in September (rather than October 2013) before this news broke.Via Meadia‘s telepathic capabilities […]

“Does anybody still believe in the Middle East Peace Process?” This is the opening question of a hard-hitting new report on the topic by the International Crisis Group, pointedly entitled “The Emperor Has No Clothes: Palestinians and the End of the Peace Process.” From the report’s Executive Summary: Nineteen years after Oslo and thirteen years […]