John McCain's previous self-evident respect for the American polity will NOT transcend the Republicans' desire to win the game of politics at any cost. But I'm glad you brought up the notion of an October Surprise, I forgot all about GOP proclivites.

M. Singer, San Francisco, USA

I am intrigued by the notion that war is not economic.

The US cannot afford to bomb Iran regardless of whether this is right or wrong.

Richard Boyce, Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Is'nt Iran all about Israel. The problem with world politics is not about the imbalance of power between US and other so called evil countries. It seems US is unnecessarily dragged into arm twisting exercise of countries having imbalance of power with Israel. Lets not be fooled again into Iran(q).

BM Momin, Phoenix, US

Iran would cease to be a threat if Palestine was simpy re-created as a true nation. All faiths who have a claim to the holy land can then live and work there as Palestinians, ran by a secular government that favours no faith over another. Iran would no longer have Isreal as an excuse. Simple.

Neil, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

in 2000, some of us saw GW Bush as a dangerous man, who lacked integrity and competence to do the job. We voted for Gore. This election we will vote for Obama. Really now, you who voted for Bush - do you really think Obama is as clueless as GWB? The harm is done - we've had the worst president.

Kona Bree Smith, Kihei, USA

Iran is the evil enemy the U.S. has to promote to justfy its policies in the region, which in turn pushes Iran towards the Bomb which then justifies a bombing campaign against Iran The other beneficiery of ths policy is Irans president who diverts attention from the economy

Anton Gray, Christchurch , New Zealand

Obama born is Hawaii in 1961, early schooling in Jakarta, then Punahoe in Hawaii, then Columbia, and Harvard Law School, where I think he graduated honors.Where did he get the money to do this? And now I guess he has the support of Oprah Winfrey's billions and probably many successful sports stars.

JD, Honolulu,

Iran is a major threat on the Middle East stability. it will continue to be that until an international force prevents its nuclearisiation. Their leaders are openly discussing a war with the US and the annihilation of Israel.
I believe NOT invading Iran is a political decision, against common sense

Irad, Israel,

Hank I'd rather have 4 more years of McCain (he's not Bush) than 8 years of Carter. Because if Obama fools these people into voting for him in November, he can probably do it again.
Raine, save the drama.

Yolanda, Conover, USA

The title is wrong.It's not "World problems for the White House". It's "The White House is a problem for the world".

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

"America the Evil" Who is the first to send economic aid to any country that needs it. Who sends the most food to starving countries. Who is the first to to be criticized, even though the rest of the world lags behind in commitments to help. Do a little research before you complain.

mark, Boynton Bch., Fl, USA

Nice summary of issues and interesting ending. A technical point on trade and factory closings. Econ 101 books all mkae clear the relationship between government deficits (borrowing money) and trade deficits (weak exports). US trade deficits began with Reagan's tax cuts-- these are real issue.

john henry, new york, usa

What a mess the US / world is in - the blacks vote for the black the women vote for the women and those who don't like either vote for the old man - good bye America hello Europe.

Marty, London,

If Obama really does embrace protectionist policies, it will be a real tragedy. Protectionism only protects the least efficient domestic producers in any industry, thus reducing an economy's overall productivity, but it damages the low-cost overseas producers who can afford it least.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

This November we have 2 choices, 4 more years of Bush or 4 more years of Jimmy Carter.
The next 4 yrs will be horrible, it will get worse before it get better. We have 2 candidates that havme little clue about this nation issues. Economicly they are also clueless.

Thank you America, thank you

Hank, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

What Mr. Kaletsky seemingly fails to understand is that Mr. Obama's position correctly represents the growing sentiment that while international trade is desirable, the current "free trade" regime solely benefits the investing class because it permits international mobility of capital but not labor.

Nicholas, Portland, Oregon, USA

Being an American citizen and a patriot I am in fear of another Republican Regime. Unfortunately as with the last election it will come down to choosing between the lesser of two evils. The war in Iraq is in esence another Vietnam like police action that will not end well for the American people.

John, Phoenix, AZ, USA

I agree with Steve about both Europe and the USA moving towards protectionism. Globalization only works if modern countries innovation can outpace the shipping of industrial jobs to developing nations. Education in America can't support it currently, creating more poverty and unemployment.

Kevin, Fresno, USA

If you must peddle the "in Iraq for 100 years" line, please quote it in full. It is deliberately misquoted by Democrat bigots, journalists have no excuse. He said it is fine to stay in Iraq for 100 years, so long as Americans are not being killed or wounded: just like the situation in South Korea.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

Mr. Kaletsky's "American friends" are not cynical, they are paranoid conspiracy theorists. Even assuming America could pull it off, its consequences would be too unpredicatble for the Administration to risk it. As to the comments on America the evil empire? Go to school and go learn something.

James Geoffrey, F, Virginia, USA

Anatole, I agree with your concerns about protectionism. However, both Europe & the USA will move towards protectionism to maintain worker salaries in our own economies. Without it our economies will be further weakenned as manufacturing and other technology are transfered to developing nations.

Steve Marchant, Broadhempston, Uk

Iran is going to start a war with the USA (and Israel) regardless
of who becomes President. We know this because Ahmadinejad has told us he will - and he keeps his word.
If we strike first, it'll be AFTER the elections but before the
new President takes office. Two months is enough.

Dave M, Tonopah / London, USA / UK

Another insightful article - many thanks. For information, the French also have an expression for politicking - la politique politicienne

Nigel, Paris,

Change in foreign policy I thought was to reduce military action and threat to the Middle East. If not Mr Obama will hugely disappoint many people.
America is now the Evil villains.
He could develop better relations with Latin America.
Helping African countries to be more democratic.

Peter, Southampton, Southampton,

Iran doesn't have troops in over one hundred and fifty nine countries. America is now the "Evil Empire."
Its democracy is a window dressing. It has profited from and had a hand in nearly every war. Fortunately end stage capitalism just becomes obvious in the blatant theft of other nations assets .

Keith Bentham, Wigan, uk

I assume this column was written before Obama's remarks to Jewish leaders on Wednesday, in which Obama staked out a hawkish position on denying Iran nuclear weapons that could just have easily been made by Bush or McCain. It is Obama's unsteadiness in this area that may well prove his undoing.

Tom Key, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

Once again, Mr. Kaletsky, I am impressed with your muscular ideas. Provoking they are. English journalists are miles ahead of their French counterparts.

Samuel Young, Paris, France

To Raine:
<br/>If you believe that Sen. Obama will save you from the evil
<br/>republicans, sorry, but He and you becoming what you fear
<br/>the most. If he is elected you'll want to start constructing a
<br/>bunker and fast.

Steve, Bakersfield, USA

don't forget teknos -technology, technique and techno -which in broad terms is the understanding of the world as a machine. of bacon it was said "he preached the gospel of getting on, yet he never quite did get on" give us luck!

glenn schaefer, holbrook, usa

We don't have the miliary to start any other war. This is pure bravado The Republicans cannot win on actual policies - and Bush has doubled the deficit in 8 years. So much for the Republicans "fiscal" responsibiliity . The question is do we spend 3 billion a week on Iraq or help our own.

Jenny , Maryland , USA

China needed to end its pariah status, thence Messrs. Mao, Nixon and Kissinger success. In the shadow of the USSR Chinese marxism was a national matter. Not so with the Iranians whith their non-mitigated Islamic drive. That's why Sen.Obama's position is no more beneficial than Sen. Mccain's.

Felix, Mountain View,

We won't vote for another Republican. We nor the world can afford a McBush, which is what McCain is. Our military is in danger of breaking, we're going under financially, & our reputation is ruined. The next President will have to try to clean up the huge mess left by this horrible administration.

Raine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA