P.S."Why America shouldn't panic over Putin"

Contrary to what many Americans expect, Vladimir Putin's return to the Russian presidency need not cause a deterioration of relations between the United States and Russia. Many assume that Putin benefits politically from indulging anti-Americanism, and that in he's new presidential term, he'll pursue increasingly adversarial policies. This underestimates Putin's willingness to strike pragmatic deals with Western governments. Putin has had a longstanding interest in cooperating with America — so long as Russian interests are respected and acknowledged. It would be foolish to ignore this in the mistaken belief that the two countries are ideological or geopolitical foes.

A Young Barack Obama in Love

A Young Barack Obama in Love (ABC … Accounts of a young Barack Obama chronicled by one of his former girlfriend have shed new light on his reserved demeanor, detailing the "guardedness" of a young man searching for his identity.

In his new biography of the president, author David Maraniss publishes love letters and journal entries from Genevieve Cook, who met the 22-year-old Obama at a New York Christmas party in 1983. Excerpts published in this month's Vanity Fair offer a new glimpse into the president's years after graduating from Columbia University.