North Korea clearly at this time wants to retain the right to have nuclear programs of one type or another.

Clearly the North Korean desire is for a light-water reactor, and the North Korean desire is to retain a peaceful nuclear program.

It is imperative that compassion for the suffering people of Cuba not be lost, and humanitarian exceptions to the U.S. embargo be allowed to go forward.

Working as a cartel, these institutions could influence economies for good or for naught, potentially in ways that may not be guided by any standard of national or international interest.

This issue of trust is very large. It will take some time to unfold.

If one is an optimist, one might be very hopeful that the principles (on how to resolve the nuclear issue) would be agreed upon at the very next round of talks.

A flourishing industry of so-called 'information brokers' now openly advertises its ability to obtain information about personal account balances, stock portfolios and other financial holdings.

I do not rule out optimism.