While most of us yearn for "peace on earth, good will to men," we sadly are troubled by international conflicts and long-simmering animosities in parts of the world.
Syria -- again -- has fired across its border into Lebanon and Turkey, killing a TV journalist in Lebanon and at least two people in a Turkish refugee camp.
The attack came as Syria was supposed to be preparing for a cease-fire.
What did Syria even hope to gain by the cross-border artillery fire?
Meanwhile, Communist North Korea is up to more trouble. Satellite pictures indicate the country is digging an underground tunnel for what appears to be a third nuclear bomb test.
The revelation came as the country prepared to launch a long-range rocket that Washington says is a cover for testing missile technology that could be used to fire on the United States, the Associated Press reported.
What could North Korea hope to gain by having nuclear weapons threatening its neighbor, or the U.S.? North Korea long has impoverished its own people, putting them behind pursuit of its animosity toward South Korea.
Would a North Korean nuclear weapon improve the lives of the people of North Korea?
Would some degree of Syrian triumph over Lebanon or Turkey improve the lives of the people of Syria?
Obviously not. But Syria and North Korea -- among other aggressors -- still trouble our world.