Attacks Could Erode Faction's Support  —  Pressure Building Against Shiite Militia  —  BEIRUT, July 13 — The radical Shiite movement Hezbollah and its leader, Hasan Nasrallah, hold an effective veto in Lebanese politics, and the group's military prowess has heartened its supporters at home and abroad in the Arab world.

Valerie Plame Wilson and Ambassador Joseph Wilson Initiate a Civil Action Against Vice President Cheney, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby for Violations of their Constitutional and Other Legal Rights  —  WASHINGTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 13, 2006—Former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband …

House Rejects Changes to Voting Rights Act  —  WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act, rejecting efforts by Southern conservatives to relax federal oversight of their states in a debate haunted by the ghosts of the civil rights movement.

Bush Would Let Secret Court Sift Wiretap Process  —  WASHINGTON, July 13 — After months of resistance, the White House agreed Thursday to allow a secret intelligence court to review the legality of the National Security Agency's program to conduct wiretaps without warrants on Americans suspected of having ties to terrorists.

The Chutzpah & Lies of Joe Lieberman  —  "Desperate politicians do desperate things" should be written on the political gravestone of Sen. Joe Lieberman (D) come this election season when he finally loses his job.  Lieberman is so desperate, he's now dispatching his top political consultant to create a blog …

Pak's ISI masterminded 11/7, says intelligence  —  Forty-eight hours after bombs ripped through Mumbai, the needle pointed to Pakistan.  Intelligence agencies on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was the "mastermind" of the blasts that killed about 200 people.

Eight Israeli troops killed in heavy fighting sparked by Hizballah kidnap of two Israeli soldiers under heavy rocket-mortar fire early Wednesday.  Eleven civilians and soldiers injured  —  The names released: Master Sgt. Eyal Benin, 22, from Beersheba; Master Sgt. Shani Turjeman, 24 …

Iran Attacking Israel Is Really Attack on U.S.  —  If you ever wondered whether it was worth all the trouble to keep Iran from getting a nuke, look at the news today.  —  When Hezbollah attacks Israel — or attacks anybody — it is Iran that is really doing the attacking.

Osama in Genevaland  —  Terrorists are now getting lawful-combatant legitimacy.  —  The Geneva Conventions of 1949 govern the treatment of lawful combatants and civilians during wartime.  But now a new Pentagon memorandum concludes that Common Article 3 of the Conventions also governs …

Rumor: Israel Tells Condi Rice to "Back Off"  —  Headlines throughout the American media read:  —  MAJOR ESCALATION  —  as Israel has intensified its bombing campaign of the Beirut Airport and highways.  —  45 Lebanese civilians are reported dead.  —  Although I do not have independent …

President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Participate in Press Availability  —  President's Trip to Germany and Russia  —  CHANCELLOR MERKEL: (As translated.)  Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be able to welcome the President of the United States here to Stralsund yet again.