Michael Oren believes Israel faces seven existential threats. I do not share Oren's optimism when he concludes that Israel can survive these threats. They might survive one or two of them, but all seven? Israel will not exist as a Jewish State at the end of the 21st Century. One of the seven threats will destroy Israel in the end.

Michael Goodwin hopes the American Left will unite behind the President in prosecuting the war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He shouldn't hold his breath, though, waiting for that to happen.

Paul Krugman believes the fact that lobbying groups representing insurance and pharmaceutical companies are now expressing support for health care reform is a good sign. These groups are simply trying to shore up their own positions as they see a political climate that is favorable to Obama. The President has already shown a Johnson-like ability to politically strong arm potential opponents (see the Chrysler deal) and the GOP is weak and disorganized. They hope to be eaten last. But, they'll get eaten, anyway.

Michael Barone says our political elites are out of touch with the masses on the issues of climate change and gun control. Which is why the Democrats in Congress are not going to do much of substance on either issue, despite the squawking of partisans.

King Abdullah of Jordan says the meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will determine whether his region will see peace or war. No, I think the issue of peace or war will be determined in Tehran and Jerusalem, not Washington, New York or Geneva.

Selig Harrison says the issue in Pakistan is one of ethnicity, as the age-old conflict between Punjabis and Pashtuns is made more extreme by the introduction of radical Islam. That makes sense to me. The Taliban is based on the social customs and history of the Pashtuns, who live on both sides of the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. Because of their customs and history, as well as the political and economic chaos that has plagued them for decades, the Pashtuns were almost uniquely susceptible to the radical Islam of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Now the Punjabis who govern Pakistan, and make up that country's army and social, economic and political elites, see the danger. Will they prevail, or will the Taliban, or will the country break up? Just more evidence of the interesting times that we live in.

Robert J. Samuelson says President Obama is blowing smoke on the issue of corporate taxes. A Chicago politician, blowing smoke? I'm shocked, shocked.