Smart takes

The Economist is sorry Brazil's outgoing President Lula didn't finish his reforms.

Bret Stephens says Hamas doesn't want a Palestinian state, or any state for that matter.

Paul Kennedy says the deficit is the number one reason for waning U.S. power.

Charles Tannock says Bangladesh disproves a global trend of extremism.

Signe Wilkinson cartoons Uncle Sam's China-credit crunch.

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