Baalbeck, in the Bekaa Valley, is the agricultural heart of Lebanon, and a road-trip there from Beirut leads past the town of Chtaura, where farms produce some of the Middle East's most sought-after dairy products.

CNN: Beyond hummus and kebabs: Touring a delectable Lebanon

Thousands of troops have surrounded the mosque and an adjoining seminary for women over the past six days in the heart of the Pakistani capital, but have so far held back from an all-out assault.

NPR: Pakistani Army Commander Dies in Mosque Siege

We should take heart, however, from the fact that the entrepreneurial, innovative spirit in this country remains strong and that in past crises people have come up with astounding breakthroughs that few foresaw.

FORBES: Steve Forbes: Why Most Government Leaders Are Sinking The Global Economy

In the past 20 to 30 years, banks have gone from the major suppliers of credit at the heart of the financial system to just another supplier of credit, maybe accounting for a quarter to 20% instead of 60% or 70%.

FORBES: Magazine Article