No real-world human being brings to the U.S. presidency the range of attributes necessary for full success in the job.

There's no longer any surprise in noting that China has grave environmental problems.

Contrary to what you might think, China's economy is relatively less efficient, and more polluting, than those of rich countries.

Up or out" greatly magnified the careerist emphasis on holding a position rather than doing a job.

The Hawk and the Dove is a wonderful idea for a book, wonderfully carried out. Nicholas Thompson has used illuminating new material to present each of his protagonists in a convincing, respectful, but unsparing way. Even more valuable, he has used the interactions and tensions between Paul Nitze and George Kennan to bring much of American 20th century foreign policy to life, with human richness ever present but with the big issues clear in all their complexity.

Successful societies-those which progress economically and politically and can control the terms on which they deal with the outside world-succeed because they have found ways to match individual self-interest to the collective good.

I am about as pro-Google a person as you're going to find in the media. I've had friends at all levels of the company since its founding, and still do now.