The great violence over 12 cartoons published in a Danish newspaper "is the fulfillment of Samuel Huntington's prediction of the clash of civilizations," writes Helle Dale.

While the U.S. has taken a hard line against radical Islam, much of Europe has not. "We do not have a war against terror," maintains one senior EU official.

Is the current violence a wakeup call for Europe?

If so, it comes none too soon. As Nile Gardiner and James Carafano explain, the EU is "engaged in a campaign of pandering and grandstanding to delegitimize U.S. counterterrorism." It is preparing a "show trial" on U.S. renditions; expect "a platform for anti-U.S. bile."

Political posteuring too often trumps counterterrorism in Europe. That must change.

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Read Clash of the Titans by Helle Dale

And The Great EU Inquisition by Nile Gardiner and James Carafano

"Pharmacists decry Medicare chaos," blared a recent newspaper headline above an article typical of those published in the days after the new Medicare drug benefit took effect. By all appearances, the drug benefit is so unwieldy and complicated that the Medicare bureaucracy can't administer it. But seniors should know, the worst is yet to come.

The United Nations’ record on promoting basic human rights is one of decline. The drafters of the Charter of the United Nations included a pledge by member states “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.” U.N. treaties, such as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which the General Assembly passed in 1948, form the core of international standards for human rights. Each U.N. member state is party to at least one of the seven major human rights treaties. Yet the U.N.’s record in promoting basic human rights in recent times has been one of failure and inaction.