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

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

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

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

America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

I have a long-term interest in the humanities.