A commission of retired U.S. military and police officers recommended today that the U.S. lighten its footprint in Iraq.

As they head back to school, are affluent teens carrying bagage not visible in their backpacks?

The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq reflects on her loss and how she keeps her son's memory alive.

Alex Ross, who writes about classical music for The New Yorker and on his blog "The Rest is Noise," talks about the life and legacy of one of opera's great stars.

Master cartoonist Larry Gonick provides a wickedly funny take on history from Columbus to the U.S. Constitution.