Outside the Beltway

An update on Tunisia.

The continuing chaos in Libya could have a serious impact on the U.S. economy, especially if it spreads to other oil producing nations.

Calls are coming from both sides of the aisle for the U.S. to do “something” about the situation in Libya. It would be better if we didn’t get involved.

There are a number of signs coming out of Libya that indicate the regime is in serious trouble despite the willingness of the state to use violence on the crowds.

The situation in Bahrain continues to evolve as the state has pulled back the stick.

The crackdown in Libya is turning into a massacre.

As in Baharain, the Libyan Government has reacted violently to the populist uprising sweeping the Arab world. The difference is the Libyans are doing it largely without anyone noticing

Anti-government protests raged in Egypt for a second day, and nobody seems to know where they’re headed.

The American public still has a totally unrealistic view of what it will take to get the Federal Government’s fiscal house in order.

So, if Hispanics formed a political party, what do you think it should be called?

A top Saudi cleric says nothing in the Koran forbids women from driving cars.

Should blogs and other online forums ban anonymous comments?

Afghans in two crucial southern provinces are almost completely unaware of the September 11 attacks on the United States and don’t know they precipitated the foreign intervention now in its 10th year, a new report showed on Friday.

Food prices are rising in China. For us higher food prices mean we get fat a little more slowly; for a poor Chinese family it means starvation stalks a little closer.

It appears that full body scanners, operated by leering yahoos under the cover of government authority, may finally be rousing the sheep who have meekly submitted to the absurd delays and indignities that have been piled on since 9/11 and sundry botched attempts.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner held a private, off-the-record meeting in comedian Jon Stewart’s office back in April. Speculation abounds.

Rasmussen polls were biased toward Republicans by 3 to 4 points. Rigged results? Or screening error?

Perhaps the dumbest study ever published in the Lancet compares the negative effects of alcohol and illicit drugs without controlling for incidence.

Four news items and articles about China that have caught my eye.

The controversial Muslim center near Ground Zero may get public financing.

Another set of bad economic numbers are out today, and one wonders when we’ll start getting the good news.

Remember when dealing with the utterances of Hugo Chávez that you should take them with a grain of salt (or twelve).

Despite her mis-steps, Sharron Angle still has a shot at beating Harry Reid in November