The gradual decline of a society is often a self-induced process of trying to meet ever-expanding appetites, rather than a physical inability to produce past levels of food and fuel, or to maintain adequate defense.

This bloody past suggests to us that enemies cease hostilities only when they are battered enough to acknowledge that there is no hope in victory - and thus that further resistance means only useless sacrifice.

History has shown that a government's redistribution of shrinking wealth, in preference to a private sector's creation of new sources of it, can prove more destructive than even the most deadly enemy.

In history, one gathers clues like a detective, tries to present an honest account of what most likely happened, and writes a narrative according to what we know and, where we aren't absolutely sure, what might be most likely to have happened, within the generally accepted rules of evidence and sources.

One of the most cherished photographs in my life is a picture of me with John Lennon - who I met back in 1971 at an anti-war rally.

A stable Iraq at peace with its neighbors will remain elusive until we improve both the security and the economic environment in Iraq.

Talking about peace might not be exciting... some say you don't eat peace, but without peace, you don't eat at all.

Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.