There is no compelling national interest that requires American intervention in Syria's civil war. In fact, such an intervention would be a strategic error.

The "Pivot to Asia" was a perfectly understandable exercise by the world's remaining superpower as it watched the dramatic growth of China. But for the fact that the exercise belonged to a bygone age.

It would be a mistake to view President Obama's visit to Israel as just a fence-mending exercise. It is in fact part of a planned redesign of U.S. foreign policy that will change the face of American leadership around the world.

It is worth recalling that of the four men most responsible for launching the European Union -- Schuman, Monnet, Acheson and Truman -- two were American.

The Central Asian exit plan will cost the American taxpayer more than twice as much as the Pakistani alternative.. Worse, the plan's success depends completely on the goodwill of Russia and its mercurial Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The Afghan wife of a good friend called not long ago and asked if I'd accompany her to a wedding in Kabul. I wondered why she wasn't taking her husband. "Oh it is much too dangerous for an American but you would be OK," she exclaimed cheerily.

America has viewed the integration of Europe and the development of the European Union through Anglo-tinted glasses, a view that has proven to not be in the best interests of the United States.