Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.

The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.

Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.