Bayh Rules Out White House Bid in 2008  —  Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announced today that he will forgo a run for president in 2008, citing the "long odds" he would face as a candidate who is not well-known nationally.  —  In a statement released early today, Bayh said, "After talking with family …

The Road to Tehran  —  Polite society helped pave the way for Iran's Holocaust conference.  —  "Not acceptable," says Ban Ki Moon, new Secretary-General of the United Nations.  "Repulsive," say the editors of Britain's Guardian newspaper.  "An insult . . . to the memory of millions of Jews," says Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Most Gitmo detainees freed after transfer  —  Four-fifths of 'vicious killers' released after return to home countries  —  The Pentagon called them "among the most dangerous, best-trained, vicious killers on the face of the Earth," sweeping them up after Sept. 11 and hauling them in chains …

Women Lose Ground in the New Iraq  —  Once They Were Encouraged to Study and Work; Now Life Is 'Just Like Being in Jail'  —  BAGHDAD — Browsing the shelves of a cosmetics store in the Karrada shopping district, Zahra Khalid felt giddy at the sight of Alberto shampoo and Miss Rose eye shadow, blusher and powder.

Incoming Chairmen Ready to Investigate  —  Democratic-Led Panels to Probe Administration's Actions in War and Counterterrorism  —  Incoming Democratic committee chairmen say they will hold a series of hearings and investigations early next year to build the case for their call for a phased withdrawal …

Options Sought for Surge in U.S. Troops to Stabilize Iraq  —  Military planners and White House budget analysts have been asked to provide President Bush with options for increasing American forces in Iraq by 20,000 or more.  The request indicates that the option of a major "surge" …

Ex-Rep. Barr Quits GOP for Libertarians  —  A former Georgia congressman who helped spark President Clinton's impeachment has quit the Republican Party to become a Libertarian, saying he is disillusioned with the GOP on issues such as spending and privacy.  —  Bob Barr, who served eight years …

Rumsfeld gets big Pentagon sendoff  —  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, the public face of an unpopular war, bid farewell to the Pentagon on Friday in a splashy sendoff featuring lavish praise from President Bush.  Rumsfeld defended to the end the mission that led to his ouster.

The Grandest Strategy Of Them All  —  Two major public statements, coming less than a week apart, nicely capture the confusion besetting U.S. foreign policy these days.  —  The first is the report of the Iraq Study Group, released on Dec. 6.  In good old-fashioned "realist" style …

Bredesen's Christmas card depicts Muslim girl  —  Picture and message leave church leaders scratching their heads  —  Gov. Phil Bredesen has given an unusual twist to his family's Christmas card: He is marking a Christian holiday with a card depicting a Muslim girl.