The tone and context of a "heroic" speech can conceal an underbelly.

Sailing a big ship near the coast of anything is a very, very bad idea.

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, penmanship — and love.

How a word you think you know can lead you past the monsters and to the rooftop.

In 1999, Vaclav Havel looked anything but presidential. But his mind told another story.

Iraq long ago fell from headline grace, but not before it was needlessly shattered.

How a nine-page story by a frequently forgotten Italian author aligns Italy's stars.

Two cranes and pretty shrubbery can speak volumes about non-action.

The latest euro panic attack is part of an old pattern of European behavior.

In bad times, Mario Monti had a perfect opportunity to turn down a bonus, but he didn't.

The Italy imaged by Europe never had much relationship with its day-to-day.