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.

Feingold Cuts Through The ISG Hype on Countdown  —  Keith Olbermann had Russ Feingold on to give his assessment of the now very famous Iraq Study Group report.  —  Video - WMV Video -QT  —  Feingold said what I have felt all day.  This report does not give us a clear path in Iraq and leaves the future of the war up in the air.

Baker panel's mention of Palestinian "right of return" raises eyebrows  —  A reference to Palestinians' "right of return" in the report issued by the high-level Iraq Study Group broke a diplomatic taboo which sparked immediate concern in Israel and surprise among Middle East policy experts.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …