Some young women in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are wearing baggy pants and cutting their hair short, causing unease among traditionalists.

The debate showed that Biden is clearly equipped with the foreign policy know-how required to deal with the dangerous, complex problems of the Middle East. It showed that Palin, despite her admirable enthusiasm, quick study of the issues and connection to America’s heartland, is clearly not. A key question about Palin that does not apply to Biden is, What happens to American foreign policy should McCain become unable to govern and she becomes president?

Though some headway seems to be made in Iraq.

But just a few months ago a similar tour might not have been possible. “You couldn’t walk here without taking fire” one soldier said. The security situation in Samarra has drastically improved in recent months and U.S. commanders attribute that to a number of factors including the Sons of Iraq, mainly former Sunni fighters who have turned against al-Qaeda.

My only question is as to how biased the Time Magazine writer is. But it certainly gives a contrast between the two parties, Democrat for diplomacy and Republican for isolation and threats.

Read it here on the CNN Middle East blog.