White House Disputes Iraq Is Sinking Into Civil War  —  Three years after the American-led invasion of Iraq, top Bush administration officials today reiterated their upbeat assessment of the American military effort and political progress in the country, insisting that the violence plaguing Iraq did not amount to civil war.

A Top-Down Review for the Pentagon  —  DURING World War II, American soldiers en route to Britain before D-Day were given a pamphlet on how to behave while awaiting the invasion.  The most important quote in it was this: "It is impolite to criticize your host; it is militarily stupid to criticize your allies."

Let's Play Strategery  —  Ryan Lizza isn't a complete idiot, his piece on Gold Bars Luskin is the best I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed his portrait of McCain's unprincipled backdown from the steel-caged death match with Grover Norquist now that he's eyeing the white house.

A CHRISTIAN ON TRIAL  —  This story deserves much more attention than it's getting.  Via VOA News (hat tip: Doug at Below the Beltway): … Here, via the Middle East Times, is the "evidence" against Rahman that may lead to his execution: … What do Afghan President Hamid Karzai …

Congressman Doolittle, wife profited from Cunningham-linked contractor  —  Commissions taken on campaign cash  —  A week before former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced to prison, he stressed to the court that a number of other lawmakers also helped arrange federal funding for the defense contractors who bribed him.

Lobbyists Foresee Business As Usual  —  Post-Abramoff Rules Expected to Be Merely a Nuisance  —  Some of Washington's top lobbyists say that they expect to find ways around congressional efforts to impose new restrictions on lobbyists' dealings with lawmakers in the wake …

The Democrats' Disciplinarian  —  Emanuel's approach is giving Democrats the feeling they might not blow it this time.  That's what worries him now: overconfidence.  —  March 27, 2006 issue - Lyndon Johnson was famous for something called "the treatment," where he would loom over cowering colleagues …

Why Do So Few Women Reach the Top of Big Law Firms?  —  HUNDREDS of feet above Manhattan, the reception area of Proskauer Rose's headquarters boasts all of the muscular, streamlined ornamentation that symbolizes authority and power in a big city law firm — modern art, contemporary furniture …

Ministers of Debate  —  Correction Appended  —  The slogan of Lynchburg, Va., is engraved on the tile floor of its modest airport: "The most interesting spot in the state."  This was the assessment of an early resident of Lynchburg, Thomas Jefferson, who also suggested that someday Lynchburg would be a great metropolis.

Republican 2006 Strategy Will Be To Define Foes And "Change The Subject" (UPDATED)  —  Independent voters, those who believe elections are job performance reviews, and those who want to see the quality of political debate elevated in this country will not be heartened by a piece …

Transcript: Sen. Dick Durbin on 'FOX News Sunday'  —  The following is a partial transcript of the March 19, 2006, edition of "FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace":  —  "FOX NEWS SUNDAY" HOST CHRIS WALLACE: Joining us now to discuss Iraq and other national security issues is the number …

'Impeach Bush' chorus grows  —  THE movement to impeach President George W Bush over the war on terror began with a few tatty bumper stickers on the back of battered old Volvos and slogans such as "Bush lied, people died" on far-left websites.  But as Democrat hopes rise of gaining control …

The Iraq War: Three Years Later An incomplete mission, a war-weary nation  —  At the onset of the war in Iraq, Americans were anxious but supportive of President Bush sending the U.S. military to the Persian Gulf to topple the dangerous regime of Saddam Hussein.  That invasion began three years ago today.

The Letter of the Law  —  The White House says spying on terror suspects without court approval is ok.  What about physical searches?  —  In the dark days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a small group of lawyers from the White House and the Justice Department began meeting …

Iran's secret talks with Iraqi militants spark fears of proxy war  —  Iran held secret talks with Shia militant leaders from Iraq and Lebanon only days before the country's nuclear negotiators threatened America with "harm and pain", independent sources in Teheran have revealed.