Peacemaking and democratic state-building require blood and magic.

The fact is that democracy anywhere in the world, including in the United States, is not something that comes easy. And yet, we are committed to it, and equality and democracy are the only ways in the long run that Jews will be safe in the Middle East.

Democracies domesticate religious groups to become political players. That's how it works.

Americans should be wary of the Muslim Brothers in Egypt but not scared of them.

Actually, I don't ever think there will be a men-only team of leadership in the Labour party again. People would look at it and say, 'What? Are there no women in the party to be part of the leadership? Do men want to do it all themselves?' It just won't happen again.

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is not a trumpet call to self-importance.

Along with all the other stunning statistics China can provide, it can also claim to be the world leader in making energy from human excrement. Biogas, as this energy is known, can be produced from the fermentation of any organic material, from wood to vegetables to human excreta.

A leader is someone who steps back from the entire system and tries to build a more collaborative, more innovative system that will work over the long term.