Ukraine should be vigorously taking defensive measures while it asks for help. The Russian bear is at the door, and it’s hungry.

Duende is the effect that flamenco, the national dance of Spain, seeks to achieve – a particular emotional impact. Suddenly in the room there’s a collective rapture.

Olivier Roy, a lifelong French specialist on Islamic affairs, says today’s radicals are disoriented dropouts, not apostles of long-term objectives that will really be advanced by violence.

The Afghan economy is at a dangerous crossroads. A strong market economy could very well survive without democracy in Afghanistan, but the fledgling democracy in Kabul stands little chance without a vigorous economy.

Going for a stroll in Saigon at either end of a business day is like walking along the bank of a furiously rushing torrent: a torrent of motorcycles, tens of thousands of them, hurtling past. Since much of the city has no traffic lights, you wait and hope for a break in the flow, which may not happen.

All this is something of a metaphor for Vietnam in general: everything is pervaded by hustle, bustle and optimism; by enthusiastic movement.

China has her own interests, and unlike Americans, who like to bash ahead, the Chinese follow the maxim of their favorite strategist Sun Tze: “Be subtle, be subtle.”

I have always loved France, and it is with chagrin that I see the centrifugal forces of history steadily separating that wonderful country and my own.