The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability.

When we think of the major threats to our national security the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores one from nature not humans - an avian flu pandemic.

It says something about this new global economy that USA Today now reports every morning on the day's events in Asian markets.

People have accused me of being in favor of globalization. This is equivalent to accusing me of being in favor of the sun rising in the morning.

It is a challenge with the global fame to try to act like I put my pants on one leg at a time when in fact I have Pippa Middleton help me put my pants on every morning. She's my lady-in-waiting as well.

Leadership has become a heavy industry. Concern and interest about leadership development is no longer an American phenomenon. It is truly global. Though I will probably be in less demand I wanted to move on.

The war and terrorism in the Middle East the crisis of leadership in many of the oil-supply countries in the developing world the crisis of global warming - all these are very clearly tied to energy.

China and India will take the global leadership on climate change: they are suffering for it.

Central to America's rise to global leadership is our Judeo-Christian tradition with the vision of the goodness and possibilities of every human life.

The increased global linkages promote economic growth in the world through two key mechanisms: the division of labor and the international spillovers of knowledge.