National Security
Truth & Consequences for CIA on Torture
The CIA's role in President George W. Bush's torture policy is bad news for a troubled agency with important work to do.
Fast and Loose With the Facts
Bush and Cheney will probably leave office with a sad legacy, while two prominent reporters who backed the war have seen their careers flourish.
The Return of the Neocons
Top Bush officials see this fight for historical dominance as the last battle of the war in Iraq.
Batman's 'Dark Knight' Reflects Cheney Policy
REEL LIFE
Ensuring Permanence
Bush is forging ahead with a plan to promote sovereignty in Iraq with the presence of thousands of foreign troops.
Petraeus' Ascension
Many military analysts view the general's pending promotion as a mixed blessing.
Torture and the Law
Bush told ABC news he knew administration officials met to discuss the use of torture against detainees. Could a prosecutor charge him with a crime?
CIA Largely in the Dark on Interrogation Tactics
CIA turned to countries known for their use of torture including Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to develop program.
Biden Punks Crocker: 'I Would Therefore Pick Al Qaeda on The Afghanistan-Pakistan Border'
There was once a blog called Joe Biden Is Thugged Out. (I swear this is true.) Biden just proved why.
The Colonels and 'The Matrix'
A group of young thinkers has triggered a simmering debate about how far the military should go in embracing counterinsurgency.
'I Don't Work For You No More'
Jon Michael Turner's tattoos cover his arms almost entirely. They peeked out under the rolled up sleeves of his crisp blue shirt, on which were the medals and ribbons he earned as an automatic machine gunner with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines in Anbar Province in 2006. One of them is more like a scar.
A Counterinsurgency Guide for Politicos
A forthcoming handbook, written by a former top aide to Gen. David H. Petraeus, aims to help Washington decision makers avoid intervening in the costly, un-winnable counterinsurgency efforts of foreign nations.
Waxman: White House Knew Of Hunt/Kurdistan Oil Contract
Today the House oversight committee released a reportasserting that the White House knew about an oil deal between the Kurdistan regional government and Texas-based Hunt Oil, though President George W. Bush had claimed he knew nothing about the contract before it was announced. According to the report, Ray Hunt, President of the company, talked to Bush administration advisers months before the deal was made. Also, officials at the Commerce and State departments encouraged the deal and even congratulated Hunt after obtaining the contract.
The deal embarrassed the Bush administration and outraged the Iraqi government when it was announced in September. Bush criticized both parties for making a deal that bypassed the Iraqi national government, especially impolitic as a national oil law was still not established.
Taliban, Al Qaeda Unchecked in Pakistan
A brutal propaganda campaign makes any attempt by the CIA to build an intelligence network more difficult.
Are Contractors Above the Law?
Contractors operating abroad claim they are immune from lawsuits because they work for the U.S. military.
McConnell: Buckley's Death Inspires Me!
Lillis is on the phone reporting or something, so I'm going to steal his thunder on this press release Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell just sent out about the late William F. Buckley.
Bill Buckley inspired us with the passion and conviction of his life. And when we learned that he had died in his study, he inspired us by his death.
Um, dude. What were you inspired to, you know, do?
Bill Nelson Might Have Had the Best Moment So Far
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) just looks tired. His questioning was sharp and incisive, and highlighted how difficult it is for honest people to consider the surge worthwhile.
Maliki Comments a Blow to McCain
Both the Bush administration's argument for a long-term occupation and Sen. John McCain's vision for a Korea-style presence in Iraq are undermined by Iraqi prime minister's support for a 16-month withdrawal plan.
Clinton Devised Both Pro-war and Anti-war Candidacy
Ten minutes in Hollywood on Thursday could prove to be Clinton's Waterloo -- if not now, then perhaps in November.
King David
Gen. David H. Petraeus used the principles of counterinsurgency to lead the surge of U.S. forces in Iraq. In an interview today he talks about the hard road ahead.
