No Middle Ground  —  The Iraq Study Group calls its prescription "responsible transition;" there's nothing responsible about it.  —  Given the specific lineup of the 10 wise men and women serving on the Iraq Study Group, the most conspicuous absence is that of supermodel Heidi Klum.

A Study In Comity  —  Whatever the final impact of the Iraq Study Group report being issued today, for the 10 commission members this was an exhilarating experience, a demonstration of genuine bipartisanship that they hope will serve as an example to the broader political world.

Threats Wrapped in Misunderstandings  —  The Iraq Study Group's prescriptions hinge on a fragile Iraqi government's ability to achieve national reconciliation and security at a time when the country is fractured along sectarian lines, its security forces are ineffective and competing visions threaten …

Iraq Panel Calls Conditions 'Grave and Deteriorating'  —  Conditions in Iraq are "grave and deteriorating," with the prospect that a "slide toward chaos" could topple the U.S.-backed government and trigger a regional war unless the United States changes course and seeks a broader diplomatic …

Lost in the Pony Fields  —  Now that I've read the whole thing, the good news about the Iraq Study Group report is that it's filled with accurate observations about the situation in Iraq.  As Kevin Drum writes it's "more reality-based than the Bush administration, which represents at least a little bit of progress."

Senate Confirms Gates as Defense Secretary  —  Robert M. Gates, President Bush's nominee to be defense secretary, was confirmed by the Senate this afternoon, hours after the Iraq Study Group offered recommendations meant to gradually reduce the United States' role in Iraq and stem the increasing violence there.

Panel: Bush Iraq policy 'not working'  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush's policy in Iraq "is not working," a high-level commission said bluntly on Wednesday, prodding the administration to use diplomacy to stabilize the country and allow withdrawal of most American combat troops by early 2008.

Enter the Grown-Up  —  ROBERT GATES' IMPRESSIVE—AND REASSURING—CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.  —  The most eyebrow-raising moment—of many such moments—in Robert Gates' confirmation hearings today came when Sen. Robert Byrd, the stentorian Democrat of West Virginia, asked if he favored attacking Iran.

Report: Hamas met delegation of Democrats  —  Source claims U.S. party willing to hold dialogue with terror group  —  JERUSALEM - Hamas met with a delegation of "important Democrats" who expressed interest in relations with the Palestinian terror group even if it doesn't recognize the right …