President Obama’s Address to Parliament

While President Obama has had some amusing gaffes on his trip to London, including getting the year wrong in the guest book and an awkward toast to the Queen, his speech to Parliament today hit all the right notes.

Al Qaeda Confirms Osama bin Laden Death

In a move sure to satisfy Deathers as much as a contemporaneous newspaper story satisfied Birthers, al Qaeda has released a statement confirming that Osama bin Laden is dead.

Francis Fukuyama on Origins of Government

Francis Fukuyama: “In the developed world, we take the existence of government so much for granted that we sometimes forget how difficult it was to create.”

Campaign Donation Disclosure and Incumbent Backlash

Public disclosure of campaign contributions makes it easier for incumbents to pressure backers of their opponent.

Newspaper Job Ad Goes Viral

Matthew Doig of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune posted a want ad for an investigative reporter and it’s gone viral.

You Can’t Make the Government Perfect, But You Can Make It Better

It’s institutions of government – not its size – that matter when it comes to how good a job the government does.

Jacques Chirac Corruption Trial

Former French president Jacques Chirac is being tried on corruption charges stemming from misconduct as mayor of Paris.

Are Wisconsin Public Servants Overpaid?

Contrary to some assertions, Wisconsin public servants are not better compensated than their private sector counterparts.

Has a Military Coup Already Taken Place in Egypt?

An interpretation of the events in Egypt.

Moast Loathesome Americans

The Beast has released its The 50 Most Loathsome Americans of 2010, which I gather is supposed to be amusing rather than taken seriously.

OTB Foreign Desk

Brief takes on foreign affairs

Just What Haiti Doesn’t Need: “Baby Doc” Duvalier Returns

The last thing that Haiti needed was for a former dictator to return, but that’s exactly what has happened.

Did Wikileaks Help Bring Down A Corrupt Arab Leader?

Information made public by Wikileaks appears to have played a role in sparking the protest movement that has brought down the President of Tunisia.

International Sitrep

A capsule look at the world situation as 2010 draws to a close.

Do Presidents Deserve More Respect, Or Less?

The Presidency has lost the aura of mystique that used to surround it, and that’s a good thing.

Afghanistan Still America’s Forgotten War

Unless you paid close attention, you probably missed most of the coverage of the war in Afghanistan in 2010.

A Living Argument in Favor of the DREAM Act

UCSD grad student Mark Farrales is a good example of why something like the DREAM Act has merit.

Peter Orszag and the Corruption Inherent in the System

Peter Orszag, President Obama’s first budget director, is headed to Citigroup and a multimillion dollar salary.

Public Diplomacy vs. Private Diplomacy

Are American diplomats lying to reporters because they figure our citizens can’t handle the truth?

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Ethics Committee Recommends Censure For Charlie Rangel

Less than expulsion, but more than a slap on the wrist. The House Ethics Committee recommends that New York Congressman be censured for cheating on his taxes and breaking the rules of Congress.

Sarah Palin: I Am Engaged In Deliberations About Running For President

Yet another sign that the GOP’s biggest nightmare may actually end up coming true.

Will The Class Of 2010 Repeat The Mistakes Of 1994?

The incoming freshman of the 112th Congress say that they won’t repeat the mistakes that Republicans made when they gained power sixteen years ago, but some of the advice they’re getting virtually guarantees it will happen if they aren’t careful.

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After A Bizarre Day, Rangel Ethics Trial Ends

There was bound to be entertainment during Charlie Rangel’s Ethics Committee hearing, and the Harlem Congressman did not disappoint this morning.

Afghan President: U.S. Should Reduce Military Presence

Hamid Karazi says that the United States needs to reduce it’s military presence in his country. Perhaps we should listen to him.

Sarah Palin’s Twitter Account

Ezra Klein argues that Sarah Palin’s Twitter account isn’t very popular. But that misses the point.

Karzai Corruption Includes Iranian Bribes

We already knew that Hamid Karzai was corrupt, now we know he takes bribes from the Iranians.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded To Jailed Chinese Dissident

Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo has won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. He probably doesn’t know it, though, because he’s currently sitting in a Chinese prison.

A History of Acronyms

Robert Lane Greene investigates the rise of acronyms, initialisms, and other informal shortenings of speech.

Afghanistan: Rethinking U.S. Strategy

Steve Walt, Steve Clemons, Matthew Hoh and others have released a provocative new report arguing for a change in our Afghanistan strategy.

Sexing Up Headlines

It’s getting harder and harder to tell blogs from newspapers.

Rod Blagojevich Convicted On One Count, Jury Hung On 23

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, and his hair, will live to fight another day.

Colombia has a New President

Colombia has sworn in a new president. And so begins the Santos era as the Uribe era heads for the history books.