2008

• Gaza Clouds Obama's Prospects

  Robert Scheer : Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

  So, why didn't they give peace a chance? Why did the leaders of Hamas and Israel not wait for the incoming US president's inauguration before mutually escalating hostilities?

• Q & A with Lakhdar Brahimi: What Next for Gaza?

  Barbara Crossette : Israel

  Lakhdar Brahimi, a leading UN troubleshooter in the Middle East weighs in on the crisis in Gaza and speculates on how it may affect Obama's presidency.

• A Memo to Obama on Israel

  Uri Avnery : Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

  The following humble suggestions are based on my 70 years of experience as an underground fighter, member of the Knesset and founding member of a peace movement in Israel.

• The Kiss

  JoAnn Wypijewski : Sex & Sexuality

  Let us pause, amid the muddle of the moment in this season of renewal and fresh starts, to consider fundamental things.

• Obama for America 2.0?

  Ari Melber : Internet & New Media

  Barack Obama has mobilized the most connected national constituency in history. But can he use it to govern?

• Ideas for a New Era

  The Editors : US Foreign Policy

  It's time for progressives to create coalitions and craft smart strategies that will push Obama and the new Congress to seize this moment.

• Radio Nation with Laura Flanders

  Radio Nation : Gay & Lesbian Issues & Activism

  Richard Kim and Sarah Posner on the Obama's controversial embrace of Rick Warren. Plus: Ari Berman on Howard Dean's legacy and more.

• Rick Warren: Obama's First Big Mistake

  The Rachel Maddow Show : Gay & Lesbian Issues & Activism

  Obama's selection of Rick Warren as an inauguration speaker has infuriated liberals and conservatives. Here's why.

• Bush's Battle for Executive Power

  American News Project : George W. Bush Administration

  Pulitzer Prize winner James Risen discusses the rise in executive power during Bush's tenure and the media's failure after 9/11.

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  Obama's Hawk

  Robert Dreyfuss

  When Obama needs a hammer, National Security Adviser James Jones will provide one.

• Will Bush Block Obama's Gitmo Plan?

  The Rachel Maddow Show : Guantanamo Bay

  Glenn Greenwald discusses the implications of lame duck Bush actions on Barack Obama's plan to close Gitmo.

• The New Era of Ecological Civilization

  Henrik Petaisto

  This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the success of the new President will depend on his ability to initiate a transition from postindustrial society to a new era of civilization.

• The Importance of Perspective

  Natalia Thompson : Gap Between Wealth & Poverty

  This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the most important prerequisite for being a good president cannot be found in the marble hallways of the nation's elite institutions.

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  Obama's Green Team

  Mark Hertsgaard : Environment

  They respect science. But will Obama's team show the necessary spine to cut greenhouse gases and resist "clean coal" and nuclear power propaganda?

• The Imperial Transition

  Tom Engelhardt

  Obama's transition is the earliest, biggest, fastest, best organized and most efficient on record. But has the media failed to see the larger architecture of this moment, and what it portends for the presidency to come?

• Ending the Mindset

  The Editors : Iraq War

  Dissenting views on Iraq and Afghanistan will have to come not from the hawkish national security team, but from outside Washington, and from Obama himself.

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  Can Obama Stay the Course?

  Robert Scheer : US Foreign Policy

  As he drives his team of retreads, the challenge for Obama is to remain the agent of change who electrified the nation.

• Beyond the Bailout State

  Steve Fraser : History

  If original thinking doesn't find a home among the Obama administration's Clinton-era Brainiacs, how can we move beyond the bailout state?

• Stimulus Now

  The Editors : U.S. Economy

  On Day One, Congress must present Obama with a bold stimulus plan focused on putting people to work, rebuilding infrastructure and expanding the productive capacity of the economy.

• Can Obama Take On the Pentagon?

  Frida Berrigan : US Military

  Taking on the Pentagon, with its mega-budget and its mega-power, may be the hardest task Barack Obama faces.

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  Election's Over--Time to Begin

  Michael Pertschuk : Activism & Organizing

  How millions of Obama volunteers can go to work for a progressive agenda.

• Past and Future

  William Greider : U.S. Economy

  Obama's too smart to allow the ideas of the past to define his presidency. Yet Timothy Geithner is an architect and enabler of the unfolding crisis.

• Obamacons?

  Radio Nation

  Jeremy Scahill on President-elect Obama's questionable foreign policy team. Plus: Bolano's 2666.

• Blogosphere Backlash to Barack?

  MSNBC

  The Nation's Ari Melber discusses why the progressive netroots are somewhat unhappy with Obama's cabinet picks to date.

• Obama Faces Deflation Risk

  Nicholas von Hoffman : U.S. Economy

  Wall Street was buoyed by the appointment of Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary. But that can't offset worries that deflation will compound our economic woes.