The Question: The U.S. starts to choose a president this week. If you could send the candidates one message, what would it be?

When I read these comments from our panelists and readers, I think: Maybe the presidential election process that began last week shows that we really are turning a page -- not just America, but the whole Bush-fatigued world.

What I hear in this PostGlobal discussion is this: America needs to be true to its own values. It needs to reconnect with the qualities that made America powerful and respected. What's striking to me is that the world (as represented by our PostGlobal sample) and the voters of Iowa are sending the same message: It's time for a change.

There's a wonderful Sherlock Holmes mystery called "The Dog that Didn't Bark," in which the real puzzle is why the canine in question--which ought to be barking his head off--remained silent. That's how I feel about the weird non-participation of the United States in the indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria.

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Listening to businesspeople at a meeting in Houston today, I was struck by how hard the crisis has hit here - and by one man's musings on whether al-Qaeda members are smiling at our economic woes.

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Meeting with diplomats in the last few days, I hear enthusiasm for Obama's policies but nervousness that they may be too naive or too fast -- from Iran, to Israel and the Palestinians, to Pakistan. Do you agree?

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It's time to get AIG and the zombie banks out of the political fray and into bankruptcy court, Ignatius argues in today's video. Please post your comments below.

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Iran's quick rejection of Obama's overtures is rooted in the Islamic Republic's history and the anxiety of its leaders, Ignatius argues in today's video. Don't expect a quick turnaround -- and please post your comments below.

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Weekend fighting between Iraq's largely Shiite army and a Sunni militia group shows how fragile our Iraqi success really is, Ignatius argues in today's video. Please post your comments below.

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Obama's call for 'partnership' transcended the medieval walls and once-closed communities of the ancient cities in the Old World where he was speaking, particularly here in a little town in Alsace. Please post your comments below.

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Where do you draw the line between helpful American assistance to Pakistan in fighting the Taliban insurgency and counter-productive American meddling? Obama administration officials are weighing that balance as they prepare for a crucial visit to Washington this week by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

The administration is finalizing an ambitious package of aid measures, ranging from urgent financial assistance to counter-insurgency training for Pakistani troops at a U.S. base in Kuwait.

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