The AC-130 gunship is capable of firing thousands of rounds per second.  —  (CBS/AP) A U.S. Air Force gunship has conducted a strike against suspected members of al Qaeda in Somalia, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports exclusively.  —  The targets included …

Bush and Abramoff have met.  Here is the photo.  —  As we saw as recently as last Friday, the Bush Administration has gone to great lengths to prevent any access to information documenting a relationship with Jack Abramoff.  But that relationship exists.  CREW was provided a photo …

Democrats may deny funds for Iraq surge  —  WASHINGTON - In a blunt challenge to President Bush, the leader of the Senate's new Democratic majority said Monday he will "look at everything" within his power to wind down the war in Iraq, short of cutting off funding for troops already deployed.

Gov. seeks sweeping health system reforms  —  SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today proposed upending just about every portion of the healthcare industry in one of the country's most elaborate efforts at holding down medical costs and expanding insurance to those who don't have it.

New Video of Saddam's Corpse on Internet  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — A new video of Saddam Hussein's corpse, with a gaping neck wound, was posted on the Internet early Tuesday, the second leaked release of clandestine pictures from the former leader's hanging.

Lieberman on Surge: What's "The Worst that Could Happen"?  —  [UPDATE: Welcome Atrios, C&L readers.]  —  Over the weekend, I caught a snippet of CSPAN's coverage of the McCain/Lieberman "surge" party at the American Enterprise Institute.  It was after all the speeches, with the Senators kibitzing with reporters as the hour ran down.

Press Briefing by Tony Snow  —  White House Conference Center Briefing Room  —  MR. SNOW: Welcome.  A few notes before I take questions.  The President today spoke with Nicaraguan President Enrique Bola os to thank him for his service to his country.  He later spoke with President-elect Daniel Ortega …

Blair refuses to match US troop 'surge' in Iraq  —  Tony Blair will make clear this week that Britain is not going to send more troops to Iraq even if the US pushes ahead with a "surge" of 20,000 extra soldiers.  —  The Prime Minister will insist that the UK will stick to its own strategy …

The holy blitz rolls on  —  The Christian right is a "deeply anti-democratic movement" that gains force by exploiting Americans' fears, argues Chris Hedges.  Salon talks with the former New York Times reporter about his fearless new book, "American Fascists."  —  Pastor Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church

Most say no to Iraq buildup  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush will outline his "new way forward" in Iraq on Wednesday to a nation that overwhelmingly opposes sending more U.S. troops and is increasingly skeptical that the war can be won.  —  A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday shows …

The Human Failure of the Afghanistan Mission  —  A recurring theme in the situation in Afghanistan is the desperate manpower situation: there are so few troops to do the job that European countries like Germany had been criticized (by me, but also policy makers) for not allowing their troops enough leeway in joining combat operations.

Gas-Like Odor Permeates Parts of New York City  —  A strong odor permeated parts of New York City and nearby areas of New Jersey during the morning commute today, forcing several schools and companies to evacuate and interrupting traffic along some subway and train lines.

THE STARTING GATE  —  Evan Bayh was uncharacteristically dispirited when I met him in the Russell Senate Office Building on a quiet Wednesday before Christmas.  For Bayh, who is fifty-one and was first elected to the Senate from Indiana in 1998, December will be recalled as a low moment in an otherwise high-achieving life.

A Disputed A.P. Source Turns Up, but Bloggers Are Not Appeased  —  After weathering six weeks of criticism for quoting an Iraqi police captain whose existence had been called into question, The Associated Press had some relief last week when Iraq changed its story and acknowledged that, yes, Jamil Hussein did work there.