Outside the Beltway

Like the rest of us, financial analysts across the globe are trying to figure out what the U.S. debt downgrade means.

While it’s hard to argue with S&P’s political analysis, its economic judgment is a head-scratcher.

It isn’t just President Obama who should be worried about the economy next year.

Judging by the June jobs report, there’s no economic recovery coming in the near future.

A few Republicans have picked up on John McCain’s criticism of critics of the Libya mission as being “isolationist.”

For the first time since the end of World War II, the GOP is wrestling with two diametrically opposed visions of foreign affairs.

Is it reasonable to state that countries with less guns are more likely to become tyrannical than countries with more guns?

Contrary to what Senator McCain, seeking realism in military policy does not make one an isolationist.

My latest piece for The Atlantic, “Is the U.S.-European Relationship Really in Decline?” is posted.

Overfishing may mean a near term future in which there are no more fish in the sea.

After several months where it seemed like things were turning around, the May jobs report was depressingly bad.

We need to stop talking as if the Medicare debate is a question of the Ryan Plan v. the Status Quo.

A bizarre legal case from Italy.

A profile of George Mason economist and blogger Tyler Cowen offers this amusing description: “Cowen, 49, has round features, a hesitant posture, and an unconcerned haircut.”

“Our records indicate that your annual income for the 2011 taxable year was $2,170,000,000,000. You have requested a credit limit of $17,000,000,000,000. These figures exceed the American Public’s guidelines for credit issuance”

Business Week has a fascinating profile of Dietrich Mateschitz, whom they dub “Red Bull’s Billionaire Maniac.”

Santorum has an interesting theory about the decline of great powers.

The Japan nuclear meltdown has now topped the scale used to measure such things, reaching the same level as the Chernobyl disaster. It’s a stupid scale.

Why did then-Governor Mike Huckabee’s office destroy all its office hard drives shortly before leaving office?

Defense Secretary Gates hinted this week that the U.S. would stay in Iraq if the Iraqis wanted. It doesn’t seem like they do.

The Kleinfelds of New YorkDelhi Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

Humorous take on America’s wars.

Natural disasters in Japan have lessened the supply of pigments necessary to make black paint.

The Kinetic Military Man of Action Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

Nuclear power remains far safer than coal. The awful events in Fukushima must not spook governments outlawing atomic energy.

Obama is visiting Brazil and Chile while American fighting men join the coalition against Libya.

There are many opportunities to go to war. Here’s a guide for choosing between them.

Earth’s moon will seem bigger Saturday night than it has since 1993. It’ll still be the same size as usual, however.

Will one of the worst natural disasters to hit Japan in centuries change the relationship between the Japanese government and the people?

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried is the latest idiot celebrity to damage their career on Twitter.

Bastiat vs. the Second Law of Thermodynamics

President Obama is once again catching flak for his leisure activities.

Archaeologists may have found the lost city of Atlantis. And, no, not the one in the Bahamas.

Status report on the damage in Japan.