Alan Greenspan's Comeback Tour

Months after he was written off by many as ineffective, a political hack or even approaching senility, Alan Greenspan is having a quiet revival. Not only has he secured an appointment for another term as Federal Reserve chairman, but Greenspan is once again pulling the strings that control the global economy.

Moreover, he's doing so with great skill, much to the surprise of his many critics. Despite a popular belief the Fed chieftain has become toothless in the postbubble era, recent history suggests the "maestro" is proving to be a puppet master, too.

"I would say [Greenspan's] been very clever," said Paul Kasriel, chief U.S. economist at Northern Trust and an unabashed Fed critic. "He's getting what he wants." ...