First, I read this: "Over the last eight years, the core U.S. defense budget has risen 70 percent, even without factoring in $500 billion-plus separately appropriated for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Keep in mind, the Cold War, our long winter of nuclear build-up, strategic missile placement and proxy wars throughout the world, officially ended in 1991.  [...]

Earlier today, Abdullah Abdullah confirmed weekend rumors that he is withdrawing from the November 7 run-off against President Hamid Karzai. "A transparent election is not possible," he said. I suppose not, if the Karzai-appointed head of the Independent Electoral Commission counts one vote as 10, as Abdullah (and Human Rights Watch) alleges. What struck me was [...]

For the first time this past Sunday, President Obama golfed with a member of my sex.   I'm supposed to be thrilled.  Score one for equality and all that. Over the last few weeks, Obama's gotten grief for his frequent and frequently all-male basketball games. Boys' games, the argument goes, are where deal making occurs. All-male playing [...]