Inflation is back. So says the International Monetary Fund as well as the Economist magazine. In China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Argentina and Venezuela, prices have risen over the past year from eight to 29 percent. In the United States, inflation looks modest by comparison--3.9 percent.

One thing George W. Bush has been right about the past several months is North Korea. After six years of the silent treatment, during which North Korean leader Kim Jong Il built his nuclear arsenal from two potential weapons to eight or ten, and tested a bomb besides, the president was persuaded by his secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, to restart the six-party talks in Beijing and hold direct discussions between Washington and Pyongyang on the sidelines.

If there's one thing this country needs this year it is a clear winner in the presidential election. Nerves are too raw, given the bank-and-housing crisis, plus the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to withstand another bout of uncertainty at the polls.

The sudden, unexpected resignation of Admiral William Fallon from Central Command in the Middle East is worrisome. The admiral left his post abruptly, he said, because of perceived disagreements with Washington over Iran. He opposes military action and favors instead a diplomatic approach. Since his views have become known, he said he felt he no longer could serve effectively.

It couldn't be clearer that John McCain will be the Republican nominee for president, barring some unforeseen calamity. But calamity is exactly what they're expecting in the far-right wing of the party if the senator from Arizona prevails. Rush Limbaugh has predicted that McCain's nomination would mean the end of the GOP. James Dobson has said he would rather stay at home than vote for John McCain. Ann Coulter would take Hillary Clinton over the dreaded John McCain.