The effect of forcing Petraeus' resignation at this juncture is to defer his testimony - for the time being at least, if not indefinitely.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Petraeus, Benghazi and passing the smell test

This tectonic shifts taking place in the region have altered the American role in the Middle East indefinitely, if not forever.

CNN: The Sweep: The risk of democracy in the Middle East

Managers could not run their businesses against the laws of economics, and officials could not pilfer from them indefinitely, if their source of cheap bank credit were to dry up.

ECONOMIST: The longer march