Shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, CBS commentator Eric Sevareid noted the central legacy of the murdered leader might well be an “attitude,” a contagious spirit that all things are possible if only we have the vision and will.

“Without justice, courage is weak,” Ben Franklin wrote, and around the world today dangerous men are being brought to justice. Viktor Bout, rightly labeled “The Merchant of Death,” has just been convicted by a jury in New York for trying to sell arms to the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in order to kill Americans.

“The country that invented drama and democracy is not disappointing,” is how the often insightful editors of Bloomberg describe rapidly unfolding political and economic developments in Greece.

“Be careful what you wish for” comes to mind when reviewing the waves of public protest and revolt in the Middle East and North Africa. Long-established dictatorships are collapsing.

“Individual ambition serves the common good,” wrote Adam Smith, masterful 18th century analyst of emerging industrial capitalism.

The “Greek Way” no longer has quite such splendid implications for many. This is the title of a best-selling book on ancient Greece by Edith Hamilton, published in 1930 and reissued in 1957. She was one of the most visible public advocates of the classics of the 20th century, and her influence continues to resonate.

Up close and personal — that describes targeting specific individuals in wartime, and gathering human intelligence as well, even when impersonal drone aircraft and electronics are employed. Individual and collective targets differ.

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, has testified before the Senate that the Haqqani network in Afghanistan, a Taliban ally, has also infiltrated Pakistan's intelligence service.

“A Bridge Too Far” may prove the best title for U.S. President Barack Obama's photo op stop at a dilapidated river bridge linking Kentucky and Ohio, the respective home states of Republican Congressional leaders Mitch McConnell and John Boehner.

In more striking terms than other nations, China presents two separate images to the world, with both highlighted in recent news. The nation's rapidly expanding strategic naval capabilities are discussed in a report just released by the United States Department of Defense, concerned about Beijing's shift toward developing extremely long-range maritime forces.