Politics & Current Affairs — March 18, 2011

Does Obama Dither?

The disquieting truth is that the president seems unable to deal quickly and decisively with breaking global events. Obama's biggest burden seems to be the presidency itself.

bigthinkeditor

In the wake of the UN Security Council’s vote for a no-fly zone above Libya, President Obama’s leadership is again under question: “How typical of US leadership — Obama-style. Washington dithered for weeks as the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Kingdom, France, Neptune and Pluto led the way. US officials agreed to move only after a dozen rebel-held cities were shelled into submission. …The disquieting truth is that the president seems unable to deal quickly and decisively with breaking global events. …Obama’s single biggest burden seems to be the mantle of the presidency itself — particularly on the world stage.”

Starts With A Bang

The quantum reason why neutral atoms first formed

If it weren’t for the intricate rules of quantum physics, we wouldn’t have formed neutral atoms “only” ~380,000 years after the Big Bang.

Hard Science

Some earthquakes last for seconds, others for minutes — and a few for decades

What do you call it when the Earth shakes for three decades?

Sponsored

What childhood “money story” is shaping your financial behaviors?

Here are the signs that you inherited “money anxiety” from your parents.

The Present

The “maritime Indiana Jones” who salvages shipwrecks now wants to tow icebergs

Simple physics makes hauling vast ice chunks thousands of miles fiendishly difficult — but not impossible.

Neuropsych

Inside the brains of aging dogs

In a citizen science project, thousands of pet dogs are helping scientists to understand what happens to memory and cognition in old age.

Up Next

Personal Growth

Beware Vision-Less Leaders

A CEO’s effective performance is so closely tied to their ability to form a clearly articulated vision…no discussion on executive leadership should occur without an emphasis on vision.