All Opinion
US support for Mahmoud Abbas's UN bid for Palestine could save two-state solutionMahmoud Abbas hopes to save his legacy with a bid to have the UN effectively recognize a state of Palestine. Opposition from the US and Israel is self-defeating, as the collapse of Abbas's leadership would also spell the end of a two-state solution, as well as its greatest champion.
Obama must offer a 'grand deal' with Iran on its nuclear programThe current trajectory is headed toward a violent endgame, writes this former spokesman for Iran's nuclear negotiators. The Obama administration needs a new engagement policy with Iran that brings an end to 33 years of a failed 'diplomacy plus pressure' policy dubbed as 'dual-track.'
Global ViewpointGrowing wealth concentration threatens to end American opportunity as we know itThe American creed of equal opportunity is in danger of becoming Hollywood fiction. Wealth concentration, manufacturing's demise, and technology eliminating jobs are destroying upward mobility. We must invest in education, training, and R&D. We must also pay for it.
To avoid fiscal cliff, Obama and GOP should compromise like Founding FathersPresident Obama and John Boehner express optimism that a budget deal to avoid the fiscal cliff will be reached, but gridlock threatens. Politicians would do well to remember that America was established by men who sorely disagreed. Consider the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Hamas is no winner in the Gaza ceasefire with IsraelHamas has claimed total victory in the ceasefire with Israel. Sure,聽Hamas evaded a punishing Israeli ground assault in Gaza and gained some diplomatic support and recognition.聽But in the long run, Hamas is sowing the seeds for its own destruction.- Washington needs more people like Senator Warren RudmanSen. Rudman, who passed away last week, was perhaps best known for his legislation on deficit reduction. But he also fought tirelessly for campaign finance reform and citizen-funded elections. And he was willing to work across the aisle and stand up to his own Republican party to do it.
Make #GivingTuesday a US tradition like Black Friday and Cyber MondayThe holiday season starts with one day to give thanks followed by two days (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) for bargain hunting. Today,聽nonprofits, businesses, and individuals are coming together to launch #GivingTuesday 鈥� a day to celebrate the great American tradition of giving.
Mali security nightmare: Why foreign intervention alone won't stop the chaosA divided Mali could become a haven for armed groups and a security nightmare for the whole of West Africa and far beyond. But聽foreign military intervention alone will be insufficient to address the turmoil. External troops will need the help of local and regional civil society organizations.
Take-away from US election: Obama's 'small' issues won bigThere was no single grand message that was going to win over voters in 2012 鈥� from President Obama or Mitt Romney. A big reason is because America is so diverse and divided, and will likely continue to be.
Getting poor students to college isn't just about affordability. It's about access.Students from low-income communities need the same mentoring, leadership opportunities, and support through the college application process as their higher-income peers. Strategic partnerships between K-12 schools and local colleges are a key part of this exposure.
Global ViewpointChina is the only country with a plan to secure scarce global resourcesCompetition for scarce resources is driving up commodity prices. China's strategy is聽to invest in resource-rich economies overlooked by the West. These economies are watching to see which model 鈥� US or Chinese-style capitalism and government 鈥� best delivers growth.
Thanksgiving Day Proclamation 2012 from President ObamaIn giving gratitude for 'the God-given bounty that enriches our lives,' Americans should聽remember the 'indelible spirit of compassion and mutual responsibility that has distinguished our Nation since its earliest days.' Washington's and Lincoln鈥檚 'expressions of unity still echo today.'
How to make a Hamas, Israel ceasefire in Gaza stickContrary to Hamas reports, Israel claims there is no ceasefire deal for the Gaza conflict. But US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is en route to Jerusalem, and an agreement appears to be in the making. Making it stick will require regional commitment.
A 35 percent tax rate is a number, not a principleRepublicans believe that the upper-income tax rate should not be raised. It's a line in the sand based on principle. True, low taxes is a principle. But the actual rate is relative, and must be flexible to avoid the 'fiscal cliff.'
Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in GazaIsrael has dealt with Hamas through a policy of isolation and military containment. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza calls for a reconsideration of this strategy. Israel鈥檚 military response only offers a temporary palliative against a broader, inherently political problem.
Obama and Myanmar (Burma): 4 points about conflict there A long-simmering ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) recently broke into American newspapers: At least 89 people have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced in what is being described (not entirely accurately) as Buddhist-Muslim violence. With President Obama as the first US head of state to visit this country, there are four points to bear in mind about this detour from Myanmar鈥檚 road to a more open society:
6 ways to avoid the 'fiscal cliff' Republican congressional leaders and President Obama sharply disagree over how to deal with the impending 鈥渇iscal cliff.鈥� But a successful plan shouldn鈥檛 be that hard to put in place. Here are six ways Washington can avoid the 鈥渇iscal cliff.鈥�
Obama is right to visit Myanmar (Burma)The apparent end of censorship has unleashed a veritable media gold rush in Myanmar (Burma).聽On his visit there, President Obama should encourage the country's wave of democratic reforms by highlighting the urgent need for free and open media to reach all parts of the country.
In shifting sands of Middle East, who will lead?Leadership in the Middle East is up for grabs as the Syrian war intensifies, the Arab Spring changes regional power dynamics, and Israel's airstrikes and Hamas rockets again roil Gaza. Last year, Turkey was the assumed role model for the region. But it has fallen down on the job.
Letter to China's new leader, Xi JinpingDear Xi Jinping: Congratulations on your elevation to the top post in China. Many expect you to be the most powerful head of state in the world. But you face global citizens who are saying, 'enough is enough' when it comes to trade, human rights, and nationalism. Be forewarned.
