Person of the Year: You  —  Yes, you.  You control the Information Age.  Welcome to your world.  —  The "Great Man" theory of history is usually attributed to the Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle, who wrote that "the history of the world is but the biography of great men."

Stubborn or Stalwart, Bush Is Loath to Budge  —  In the late 19th century, the queen of England sent the president of the United States a desk made from the timbers of a decommissioned ship, the HMS Resolute.  Almost every occupant of the White House since then has made the Resolute his desk.

US accused of using aid to sway votes in UN security council  —  The US uses its aid budget to bribe those countries which have a vote in the United Nations security council, giving them 59 per cent more cash in years when they have a seat, according to research by economists.

Shots Fired at Palestinian Leader's Home  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Fighting between Hamas and Fatah escalated Sunday, as the foreign minister's convoy and the president's Gaza residence came under attack.  Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas will boycott an early election called by the president.

Gingrich: GOP needs new kind of campaign  —  MANCHESTER, N.H. - Even Republicans are impressed with the reception of Democratic superstar Barack Obama.  —  Speaking Friday night in Manchester to a ballroom full of Republicans, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said …

Jews far more likely to be victims of faith hatred than Muslims  —  Jewish people are four times more likely to be attacked because of their religion than Muslims, according to figures compiled by the police.  —  One in 400 Jews compared to one in 1,700 Muslims are likely to be victims of "faith hate" attacks every year.

The President In the Room  —  Hillary Clinton's Biggest Issue?  A Certain Someone in Her Background.  —  NEW YORK He stood far behind, hiding in plain sight, though his glowing white hair and ruddy complexion rendered him as inconspicuous as a face on Mount Rushmore.  —  The spotlight was not Bill Clinton's.

Russia defies West and goes ahead with nuclear fuel sale to Iran  —  RUSSIA is to begin supplying Iran with nuclear fuel early next year despite mounting concern in the West that this could accelerate Tehran's plans to build a nuclear bomb.  —  Sergei Shmatko, head of Atomstroyexport …

Episcopalians Are Reaching Point of Revolt  —  For about 30 years, the Episcopal Church has been one big unhappy family.  Under one roof there were female bishops and male bishops who would not ordain women.  There were parishes that celebrated gay weddings and parishes that denounced them …

Things are coming to a head  —  Surging Troops?  —  If we add another 30,000 or so troops to Iraq, in a final effort to win the war, then we must change (widen) the rules of engagement.  Only that way can America ensure that it simply does not create more targets for the insurgents …

John Kerry Meets the Dopes Stuck in IraK  —  Oh, to be a fly on the wall!  —  (Do you suppose that it's too late to enter this in any contest?  —  This was the best picture Reuters did all year- and you know it wasn't Photoshopped!)  —  Is everyone enjoying themselves?...

The Capital Awaits a Masterstroke on Iraq  —  SOMEONE in Vice President Dick Cheney's office has gotten everybody on this city's holiday party circuit talking, simply by floating an unlikely Iraq proposal that is worthy of a certain mid-19th century British naturalist with a fascination for natural selection.

Get a Grip, Guys  —  Even after Stern finally caved on the new NBA basketball, when Nader chimed in on safety issues, the tone of their comments quickly went from playful to playground  —  It was a match made in heaven.  They are now the Sunshine Boys of sport.

If Only The Democrats Meant It  —  Just an observation: One of the factors Dems cite for withdrawing troops from Iraq is the fear that the Iraqis will come to depend on America for police and military functions if we don't.  I, and I imagine many others probably agree.

IN RESPONSE TO MY EARLIER POST ON ARMY SIZE, Austin Bay has put up a lengthy post on the same topic.  Since Austin has War College experience and so on, his views are worth a lot more than mine.  This bit seems key: … I think that's right.  We like to treat this as a military problem because …

New manual at odds with key Iraq tactics  —  The counterinsurgency doctrine warns about practices still in use, such as big bases that may signal occupation.  —  WASHINGTON — The U.S. military's new counterinsurgency doctrine takes issue with some key strategies that American commanders …