People like to blame their current statesmen when the world takes a nasty turn. But this global meltdown has its roots with the generation of leaders at the helm in the wake of the collapse of communism.

Scotland’s resounding “No” vote is a welcome demonstration of the moderation and practicality that has made Great Britain the envy of all the world. But the entire episode has sounded the death knell of centralized government. Washington and Brussels, are you listening?

President Obama’s critics seem to be getting under his skin with their criticisms. But it appears the President doesn’t fully grasp the substance of his critics’ complaints about his leadership.

The ineptitude of Britain’s politicians have them scrambling to stop Scottish independence with only a week to go. But Britain’s inability to handle Scotland should raise flags in Brussels and Washington as well.

The most disconcerting element in the speech was that even now, six years into the job, President Obama still doesn’t know how to avoid telegraphing weakness even as he seeks to project strength.

America’s choices in Ukraine, as in the Middle East, are few and they are ugly. But a choice needs to be made. The half-hearted dithering that has passed for policy up until now from the West will no longer suffice.

The riots in Ferguson, Missouri, raise a lot of important questions—not just about race in Ferguson but about race in 21^st-century America writ large.

America and Iran both want Maliki out of power in Iraq. Does that make them strategic partners in the Middle East?

The United States is pulling embassy staff out of Tripoli, and has issued a travel advisory that nicely outlines what a nightmare Libya has become. If Obama were a Republican, the press coverage of this stinking corpse of a policy flub would be quite different.

Many wars are fought over accidents and misunderstandings. This is not one of those times. With key interests at stake, the conflict in Gaza is likely to continue.