Elections matter, but how much they matter depends entirely on how free, open and fair they are.

There are no Muslim ghettos in the U.S.

The way for the Palestinians to get a state is to go ahead and build it.

During most of the Bush administration, human rights and democracy in Egypt were on the front burner.

Dubai must crack down on rampant smuggling, and the U.A.E. federal government has significantly stepped up pressure.

As the Palestinian leadership never seems to pay any penalty for its words, America's seriousness about the peace process is in doubt.

Pessimism is rife in Israel.