Fred Kaplan on where we are now with regard to Iraq and Iran. Mr. Kaplan seems to be one of the few people writing about these topics who understands the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni.
Also over on Slate: Jack Shafer claims that despite legend, there were no documented cases of returning Vietnam veterans being spat upon by anti-war protesters. For what it's worth, I was swept up for a time in those protests — working both sides of the street in a way as my viewpoint morphed from supporting to opposing the war. I met people who were passionate, emotional, sometimes even hysterical. I saw folks who would not have hesitated to expectorate on (or do worse to) Nixon, L.B.J., Kissinger and others who directed that war. But I never encountered anyone who had the slightest anger or resentment of the soldiers for serving in it…just as I've yet to see anyone who has anything but compassion and gratitude for those who are now serving in Iraq.