Monthly Archives: November 2010

“Here is a practical alternative toward the same end: Congress should cap the total benefit taxpayers can receive from the combined effect of different tax expenditures. That cap could be set as a percentage of an individual’s adjusted gross income … Continue reading →

“[Prince Turki] said if the Israeli-Palestinian talks fail again and the 90-day settlement freeze by Israel is lifted without significant progress, Saudi Arabia would ‘most definitely support the Palestinians in taking the issue of statehood to the United Nations.’” Saudi … Continue reading →

“But it seems unlikely that a revived Japan, a decade or two hence, could become a global challenger economically or militarily, as was predicted two decades ago. Roughly the size of California, Japan will never have the geographical or demographic … Continue reading →

“It is ironic that while cap-and-trade — a sensible approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions linked with climate change — is dead and buried in the Senate, considerable support has emerged for an approach that would be both less effective … Continue reading →

“Yet even though I don’t think North Korea is on the verge of collapsing, there are two good reasons to start some quiet conversations about what we would do it if did. First, North Korea might implode at some point … Continue reading →

“Mr. Heinonen said Iran could be deploying more-advanced centrifuges at clandestine sites. But he also said he believed Iran is facing difficulty purchasing raw materials, particularly carbon fiber and maraging steel, it needs to produce this equipment.” Olli Heinonen, Belfer … Continue reading →

“I think I became a journalist in the Middle East because it was the easiest job in the world, requiring very little actual work, minimum initiative, and no serious expenditure of creativity, energy or intellect. I am reminded of these … Continue reading →

“This nuclear revelation is not an intelligence failure. Over the past decade, intelligence analysts have consistently predicted North Korea’s path to nuclear weapons and noted the increasing evidence of its missile and nuclear proliferation. The failure has been that of … Continue reading →

“Don’t forget that within the United States and all around the world, there are people among the Muslims, majority, mainstream, who are fighting extremists. Don’t just lump all of them together by just your one policy choice. Don’t isolate them. … Continue reading →

“One can argue that beginning a troop withdrawal is different from completing the mission, but the reality is that the idea of withdrawal of American troops beginning in July 2011 has been air-brushed out of NATO pronouncements. The American military … Continue reading →