Francoise Hollande’s defeat of Americain Nicolas Sarkozy does matter when it comes to foreign policy because Sarkozy has arguably been the most alliance-friendly French leader in decades—perhaps ever. 

The Nobel Peace Prize is the world’s most prestigious award, as Jay Nordlinger argues in this erudite and insightful history. He has written not only the go-to reference book for the prize and its laureates but also an important philosophical reflection on the nature of “peace” in modern times.

Last week, French president Jacques Chirac delivered the Iranians a warning that their next steps may cost them far more dearly.

But analysts said that the French "no" raised a more worrying concern for the Bush administration, ushering in an uncertain time of weak leadership in nearly every major country in Europe even as the Continent turns decidedly inward.

American glee at the sight of Chirac with mud on his face is understandable; he was, after all, the leading opponent of the Iraq war and has long championed a Europe capable of serving as a counterweight to U.S. power. But Americans should hold their applause, which they may soon come to regret. That's because the eclectic group of angry French leftists, populists, nationalists, and nostalgics who opposed Chirac and the constitution had very different--in fact, precisely opposite--reasons for doing so than the Americans who cheered them on. In other words, if you didn't like French policies before Sunday, you're going to like them even less now.

Republicans vying for the U.S. presidency in 2008 must learn a lesson from Nicolas Sarkozy's tactics in France.

If President Sarkozy succeeds in facing down the rail strike in France, he will enhance his own political strength and bring change to both Europe and the Middle East.

Ifthe electionlooks hopeless now, hours before voting day, it is McCain himself who has made it so.