The Byzantine Empire’s long run — 1,100 years — may seem remote from the 21st century, but a reading of its history offers at least three timeless lessons.

In "An Unorthodox Orthodoxy," Zeyno Baran and Emmet Tuohy suggest that a distinction ought to be made between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which represents "the authoritarian status quo" and "the other Orthodox traditions representing freedom and democracy."

The spirit of the Old West--explorers, adventurers, cowboys, pioneers--is not dead.

Michael Novak enlightens Italians on the midterm elections,progress inthe Iraq war, and the future of Europe.

Bernard Lewis on the continuing clashes between Muslims and the West.

A review of The Man Who WouldBe King by Ben MacIntyre Farrar.

During the recent democratic revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, the local branches of the Orthodox Church acted in full concordance with liberal democratic values, supporting the desire of people in these countries for political freedoms. However, they were resisted at every turn by the nationalistic Russian Orthodox Church, which is tightly tied to a Russian state that is still trying to reassert control over its former dominions.

Pope Benedict XVI needs to helpthe American Church, but there may be other reasons for his trip toWashington,D.C.