Big mistakes were made in Benghazi, and people should be held accountable. But the brave officers who staff American posts in crisis zones know how dangerous the work is. David Ignatius accountableamericanbenghazi Change image and share on social
Empty political space will be filled by extremists unless the United States and its allies build strong local forces that can suppress terrorist groups and warlords both. When the U.S. creates such local forces, it must be persistent. If it withdraws from these efforts, as America did in Iraq in 2011, it invites mayhem. David Ignatius allyamericabuild share on social
The worm of paranoia begins to eat into even the hardest adversary. David Ignatius adversarybegineat Change image and share on social
Things felt pretty crazy on earth in 1969, but the cosmos was friendly. Astronauts had round-trip tickets; they got home. David Ignatius astronautcosmoscrazy Change image and share on social
Fear brings out the best in some people and the worst in others. It's a test of character, for individuals and nations. David Ignatius badbringcharacter Change image and share on social
If you want better behavior from bankers, then make their financial incentives more like those in the hedge-fund world - where managers have 'skin in the game,' and their net worth is tied to their long-term performance. David Ignatius bankerbehaviorfinancial share on social
Real security will come when it's a moneymaker for private companies who want to satisfy public demand for an Internet that isn't crawling with bugs. David Ignatius bugcompanycrawl Change image and share on social
During an economic crisis, what matters is that the government keeps its foot on the accelerator. David Ignatius acceleratorcrisiseconomic Change image and share on social
Experts say that Britain and France have strong spy agencies; Germany's is competent but afraid to level with its public; the rest are relatively weak, and there is no Europe-wide spy agency. David Ignatius afraidagencybritain Change image and share on social
Bob Gates has unusual standing in the debate about the Obama administration's foreign policy: He was defense secretary for both a hawkish President George W. Bush and a wary President Obama. He understood Bush's desire to project power and Obama's skepticism. David Ignatius administrationbobbush share on social