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Compared to hurricanes and Middle East turmoil, the state of the economy seems downright placid. But Morgan Stanley Chief Economist Stephen S. Roach warns that Ben Bernanke will have his hands full with a possible recession, high energy prices, and Washington’s refusal to raise the taxes needed to fight wars.

FP and Britain’s Prospect magazine asked readers to vote for the top five public intellectuals from our Top 100. The results are in. See who came out on top and what the results say about the world’s leading minds.

Who are the world's leading public intellectuals? FP and Britain’s Prospect magazine would like to know who you think makes the cut. We’ve selected our top 100, and want you to vote for your top five. If you don’t see a name that you think deserves top honors, include them as a write-in candidate. Voting closes October 10, and the results will be posted the following month.

When and how should the United States leave Iraq? The people who could provide the most useful answer, Iraq’s Arab Sunni hard-liners, are being ignored. Getting their opinion could be the first step toward quelling the insurgency.

Damascus has yet to learn its lesson from its meddling in Lebanon. It continues to target and kill individuals who oppose its influence. Yet, the tighter Syria tries to hold on, the looser its grip becomes.

Is global warming causing stronger hurricanes, longer droughts, and colder winters? FP recently spoke with author and climate change expert Ross Gelbspan about the science behind this summer’s storms, and whether greenhouse gasses are to blame.

America’s friends abroad, and even some of its foes, have responded to the horrific destruction to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by pledging money and sending supplies to assist the recovery effort. Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates lead the pack, offering $100 million each. A touching $25,000 was pledged by tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka. And Iran offered 20 million barrels of oil—if the United States lifts its sanctions. FP offers a complete breakdown of the kind (and sometimes surprising) generosity of more than 50 countries around the world.

In the debate over Iraq, few figures argue with more passion than pro-war writer Christopher Hitchens and the anti-war British Member of Parliament George Galloway. In this heated exchange, adapted from a recent debate, the two polemicists lock horns on the morality and wisdom of the mission in Iraq.

Just weeks ago, Germany’s Angela Merkel had her rival Social Democrats right where she wanted them: struggling to gain traction with voters and down 20 points in the polls. On election day, her lead all but disappeared, leaving her fellow conservatives to wonder how they blew it.

High gasoline prices have returned oil to the forefront of the national debate. Matthew Simmons, an energy industry investment banker, is a leading voice warning of “peak oil”—the theory that world oil output will soon decline. Saudi officials and many economists say oil production will increase to meet growing demand, but Simmons doesn’t buy it.

America’s friends abroad, and even some of its foes, have responded to the horrific destruction to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by pledging money and sending supplies to assist the recovery effort. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates lead the pack, offering $100 million each. A touching $25,000 was pledged by tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka. And Iran offered 20 million barrels of oil—if the U.S. lifts its sanctions. FP offers a complete breakdown on the kind (and sometimes surprising) generosity of more than 50 countries around the world.

The U.N. World Summit is causing logistical headaches for the residents of New York City. To cushion the blow, the United Nations enlisted Madison Avenue’s help in a campaign to woo goodwill from jaded Gothamites. Too bad no one cares.