Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Mousavi's freedom came as world powers lifted sanctions on Iran

Universities have a deep obligation to protect and preserve the freedom of expression. That is, most fundamentally, at the very core of what makes a university a university. This has not always been true.

It is tempting to use public relations, marketing and ethics to limit free speech. In business, the goals are to serve customers and maximize profits for investors, and free expression may be seen as an obstacle.

This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Washington D.C. to meet with President Barack Obama. It will be President Xi's first state visit to the U.S. and an impressive--and tight--itinerary of bi-lateral talks, meetings, banquets and receptions await him.

The thugs who cut down a dozen Charlie Hebdo are the international descendants of those who murder alleged blasphemers and apostates in Muslim nations.

We are all ignorant; none of us have all the answers. That fact is not only a strong argument in favor of free speech and against those who would suppress it -- it is a spur toward greater wisdom.