Mead urges Washington to “enter into deep strategic conversations” with each of these powers, so as to start building effective partnerships.  The problem is, we’ve already tried that, with most of them.

What did the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction’s announcement on November 23 contain: a successful bipartisan strategy for reducing the deficit or a disheartening lack of consensus? On the heels of the announcement, Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), one of the 12 members of the committee, speaks at  AEI to discuss the details and implications of the super committee’s decisions.

Liberals love building highways and bridges, but loathe making it affordable to drive on them. This is just a small example of the Catch-22 liberalism has found itself in.

Many "shovel-ready" projects are still tied up in administrative red tape. It is clear that the stimulus bill has done little thus far to help get workers back to work.

If the WTO collapses as a negotiating forum, nations may move towards a crass calculus that assesses verdicts only on the basis of the threats that back them. This would be a deeply regrettable move away from a rules-based global trading regime.

The housing system can function perfectly well without government backing. The key is making sure most mortgages are prime loans.

It is quite telling that if President Obama had to construct a strategy for defeat, it would not differ from what he and his aides describe as America’s way forward.