U.S. District Judge Who Presided Over Government Wiretapping Case May Have Had Conflict of Interest  —  (Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and judicial abuse, announced today that Judge Anna Diggs Taylor …

The Battle of Baghdad  —  Rampant insecurity—and a detailed plan to combat it.  —  BAGHDAD—Although there has been much good news to report about security progress in Iraq this summer—the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the handover of security responsibility for Muthanna province …

51% in Poll See No Link Between Iraq and Terror Fight  —  Americans increasingly see the war in Iraq as distinct from the fight against terrorism, and nearly half believe President Bush has focused too much on Iraq to the exclusion of other threats, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Paul Hackett on Hardball  —  Paul Hackett debated the Iraq war with Republican-TX-17 candidate Van Taylor,  —  Taylor who did fight in the Iraq war-for some reason uses the most original "we're fighting them over there" argument which is sounding more and more like an Abbott & Costello routine.

Allen's Campaign Shifts Gears, Seeks Help  —  Burned by a blog-induced firestorm over an an off-hand comment at a campaign rally, Sen. George Allen's campaign is seeking a conservative blog maven who can blunt future attacks and help rally conservatives in the state and elsewhere behind Allen's campaign.

Iran says it's willing to resume talks  —  Leaders continue to reject U.N. demand to halt nuclear program  —  TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) — Iran's top nuclear negotiator said his country was willing to return to serious talks on its nuclear program as early as Wednesday, Iranian media reported Tuesday.

Al-Jazeera's Tricky Balancing Act  —  DOHA, Qatar — What do people in the Middle East think five years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks?  To get a quick snapshot, I paid a visit here to Ahmed Sheikh, the editor in chief of al-Jazeera television.  It was reassuring, in a perverse way …

Senator Jokes About House Painter  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, whose re-election campaign is pressing for tighter immigration controls, referred to his house painter as "a nice little Guatemalan man" and suggested that worker as well employees of a roofing company he hired might be in the country illegally.

Malaga passenger defends actions  —  A man on board a flight to Manchester from Malaga has defended passengers' actions after their suspicions led to two men being removed from the plane.  —  David Wearden, 42, from Chester, said it was reports that the pair had been overheard claiming …

Hizbollah won, but Israel didn't lose  —  The concensus is that the Lebanon-Israeli conflict was a complete debacle.  At the outset of the conflict, I mourned that Hizbollah was winning, again.  It's worth reading Greg Djerjian for the definitive post-"cease fire" analysis in terms of what strategic advantage Israel has lost.

Mideast Echoes Of 1938  —  In his upcoming book about the horrors of the 20th century ("The War of the World''), the British historian Niall Ferguson has a chapter called "The Pity of Peace.'' It is about 1938 when World War II loomed and Britain — especially and importantly Britain — did precious little to stop it.

Bush OKs involuntary Marine recall  —  Initial recall is for 2,500, but there is no cap  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush has authorized the U.S. Marine Corps to recall 2,500 troops to active duty because there are not enough volunteers returning for duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, Marine commanders announced Tuesday.

Maine Governor: Baldacci Campaign Still Running in Place  —  Woodcock (R) 42% Baldacci (D) 43%  —  Maine's competitive gubernatorial campaign has a caught-in-amber feeling to it, especially when it comes to support for Democratic Governor John Baldacci.  —  Baldacci now leads Republican Chandler Woodcock 43% to 42% (see crosstabs).

HAIL TO THE CHIEF  —  I had the opportunity this afternoon to be part of a relatively small group who heard President Bush talk, extemporaneously, for around forty minutes.  It was an absolutely riveting experience.  It was the best I've ever seen him.  Not only that; it may have been the best I've ever seen any politician.

Gov. Murkowski's Career Ends With Loss in Alaska GOP Primary  —  Alaska Republican Gov. Frank H. Murkowski was decisively beaten in Tuesday's primary election, placing third to winner Sarah Palin, a former Wasilla mayor, and former state Sen. John Binkley in a contest that ingloriously ended …

Bin Laden still deadly relevant  —  Ex-CIA official says cleric sets cap of 10 million U.S. deaths … LONDON, England (CNN) — Nearly five years have passed since the September 11 terrorist attacks, yet Osama bin Laden — the world's most-wanted terrorist — remains a dangerous fugitive …