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Recent Discussions
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February 20, 2009
The Real Roots of the ‘Slumdog’ Protests
"Slumdog Millionaire" is a hit everywhere, except in India. Why all the protests over a rags-to-riches film?
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February 20, 2009
What the Chinese Want From Obama
In Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to China, what does she need to know?
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February 19, 2009
California, the Drama Queen
Why is California, the world's eighth largest economy, so often in the throes of fiscal disaster?
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February 18, 2009
Facebook Rules
What do social networking sites like Facebook owe their users, who happily plaster their pages with personal information?
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February 17, 2009
They’re Not Just Cars
In its restructuring, G.M. will ax or contract four of its brands -- including Pontiac, maker of American dream cars like the …
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February 13, 2009
Sin, and Its Indulgences
What are the historical roots of Catholic indulgences and the implications of their revival?
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February 13, 2009
Obama Beyond the Beltway
President Barack Obama took his stimulus plan directly to people around the country. What does this say about his leadership style?
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February 11, 2009
Every Dog Has His Day
What Stump, the dog and winner of Best in Show at Westminster, tells us about old age and competition.
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February 11, 2009
That ‘Buy American’ Provision
Tell us again why protectionism is so bad.
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February 10, 2009
Geithner’s Multitrillion Dollar Bailout
Is Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's new bailout plan sufficient to shore up the financial system?
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February 10, 2009
Battle Plans for Newspapers
Most dailies in America are in dire straits. How will their survival strategies affect readers?
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January 29, 2009
Bonuses for Bad Performance
Wall Street doled out $18.4 billion in bonuses for 2008. How does a compensation system allow for such pay in the midst …
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January 28, 2009
What’s Missing in the Stimulus Plan
Does President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package represent all that's needed?
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January 27, 2009
Eight Is Enough
A woman recently gave birth to octuplets. With multiple births becoming more common, how many are too many?
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January 26, 2009
How Not to Lose Afghanistan
Will deploying more U.S. troops make a difference in Afghanistan?
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January 23, 2009
The Risks of Releasing Detainees
One former Guantánamo detainee, released in 2007, has emerged as an al Qaeda leader in Yemen. How does this case affect efforts …
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January 22, 2009
Nationalizing the Bank Problem
Should the Obama administration move to nationalize lending institutions?
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January 20, 2009
‘The Speech’: The Experts’ Critique
Our panel of former presidential speechwriters critique Barack Obama's inaugural address.
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January 19, 2009
‘The Speech’: An Experts’ Guide
Former presidential speechwriters, including William Safire, discuss what Barack Obama's speech needs to do.
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January 19, 2009
Four Flaws in the Israeli Cease-Fire
Why Israel's unilaterally declared cease-fire will not stand.
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January 19, 2009
After Gaza, Back to Square One
A resolution can come only through diplomatic means, and that means finding a way to sit down with Hamas.
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January 18, 2009
Containing Hamas
Egypt and Israel both have an interest in an improved cease-fire.
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January 16, 2009
It All Depends on Egypt
Egypt plays a critical role in the success of any cease-fire in Gaza.
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January 16, 2009
Miracles and Plane Crashes
What accounts for plane crash survivability? Pilot skills, better aircraft features or competent passengers?
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January 15, 2009
Words and Deeds in Ankara and Tehran
How Turkey, Iran and Jordan are reacting to the conflict in Gaza.
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January 13, 2009
The Ace in Obama’s Pocket
Daoud Kuttab, a Palestinian journalist, says Arabs are hopeful that Barack Obama will be a fair broker in the Middle East.
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January 12, 2009
Why Israelis Remain United
David Newman, a professor of politics in Beersheva, Israel, a city which has been a target of Hamas rockets, explains why there …
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January 12, 2009
The Only Solution
Shibley Telhami, a professor at the University of Maryland, on how to keep the two-state solution alive in the Mideast.
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January 12, 2009
Taking Risks After the Gaza War
Daniel Gordis, senior vice president of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, looks at the consequences of Israel-Gaza conflict.
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January 12, 2009
The War So Far
Michael Young, opinion editor of the Daily Star newspaper in Beirut, weighs in on the regional implications of Israel's war against Hamas.
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In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday.
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