Progress has certainly been made.

Thaksin knows this.

Asia, of course, is different.

To be sure, the impression is deceptive.

This is, to be sure, a special case.

But there is a cure for me.

There are obvious pitfalls, to be sure.

To be sure, the exchange rate has an impact on investment and trade.

The Muslim threat is, of course, not a fantasy.

Of course, it takes two to tango.

Revolutionary Islamism is undoubtedly dangerous and bloody.

Of course, America is not Imperial Germany.

Of course, Russia knows this.

America certainly does not have a savings glut.

True, Germany has its share of problems.

Of course, extremists will hate it.

Of course, the differences between Russia and Iran are enormous.

That won t be easy.

This is, to be sure, easier said than done.

To be sure, this is not much of a consolation.

Of course, Blair does not think of himself as a new imperialist.

Of course, soft power is no panacea.

To be sure, Solidarity achieved a stunning political success.

There is no dispute that Duch violated the rights of thousands of Khmers.

Of course, investing in stocks is not a bad thing.

Subsidies, of course, interfere with free trade.

Such measures are, of course, an unfortunate detour.

To be sure, there could be glitches.

Of course, developing new energy technologies is not America s responsibility alone.

Of course, America has been encouraging Sunni leaders in this belief.

Of course, revulsion for liberal economies and global markets is not confined to Germany.

To be sure, the world has seen progress on some fronts in recent decades.

Of course, such norms are helpful.

China will undoubtedly find the EU a tough negotiating partner.

To be sure, Estimé had hastened his own demise in several ways.

Of course, Afghanistan does not bear sole responsibility for its plight.

But developing countries currencies will undoubtedly become more prominent in the longer term.

China s rising power is, of course, based heavily on its remarkable economic success.

Of course, modern technology alone cannot bring about a revolution.

Of course, parliamentary political systems are far from perfect.

The truth about her disappearance will, undoubtedly, remain murky for some time.

Secrecy is, of course, necessary in national security affairs.

Of course, that issue is completely outside Israel s control.

To be sure, one shouldn t begrudge Bush for having at last recognized that there is a problem. But, as always, a closer look at what he is proposing suggests another sleight of hand by his administration.

To be sure, no economy can realize its full potential only by having entrepreneurial firms.