Next to my family, it seems clear to me that the educational institutions and the teachers from whom I had the privilege of learning were especially important.

Globalization has redefined the competition for employment and incomes in the United States. Tradeoffs will have to be made between the two.

A split between the U.S. and its traditional allies, if it becomes a permanent feature of the new global order, would lead to deeper fragmentation among the world's market-oriented democracies. That will surely shift the long-term balance of power in China's favor, as it moves steadily toward becoming the world's largest economy.

My father once said about being a parent that it is the only thing you do that requires a very long period of learning, and at about the time that you are becoming competent, you don't need the skills anymore. Notwithstanding this modest assessment of their parenting skills, they were wonderful parents.