Despite a few generalities I'd quibble with, this article is by far the best piece I have read on the middle east in years. As they say, read the whole thing.

Although I love to maintain my detached cynicism towards politicians throughout the political spectrum, I have to say that Republicans take the house when it comes to gaffes. Everybody says stupid things, but the sheer volume given to us by Dan Quayle and Dubya is unmatched. It looks like 2008 won't be any different; here's Mitt Romney:

In France, for instance, I'm told that marriage is now frequently contracted in seven-year terms where either party may move on when their term is up. How shallow and how different from the Europe of the past.

Ha ha.