Walter Laquer, "Night Thoughts on Europe," National Interest, Nov/Dec, offers a foretaste of his new book, After the Fall: The End of the European Dream and the Decline of a Continent.

Samuel Helfont, "The Uncomfortable Questions," The Book, 31 October, reviews Katerina Dalacoura's Islamist Terrorism and Democracy in the Middle East.

Stephen M. Walt, "The End of the American Era," National Interest, Nov/Dec, calls for a re-assessment of the role of the United States in international affairs.

Thomas Schulz, "Has America Become an Oligarchy?" Der Spiegel, 28 October, explores whether the United States has entered "a second gilded age."

Jelanie Cobb, "Of lynchings, high tech and others," CainWatch, 31 October, finds Herman Cain doing violence to history.