Secret Court to Govern Wiretapping Plan  —  The Justice Department announced today that the National Security Agency's controversial warrantless surveillance program has been placed under the authority of a secret surveillance court, marking an abrupt change in approach by the Bush administration after more than a year of heated debate.

Libby Live Blogging: Judy Miller's Ghost  —  Ruh-oh.  —  Today we'll have another round of juror selection.  I'll be live blogging the proceedings in the comments, but I just wanted to express my sympathies to the New York Times.  Judy Miller hacked into their site last night and posted …

Dodd Introduces Bill to Cap U.S. Troops in Iraq  —  Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) announced legislation today capping the number of troops in Iraq at roughly 130,000, saying that lawmakers should take an up-or-down vote on President Bush's plan to send additional troops to the country …

Back from Baghdad  —  My HotAir.com colleague Bryan Preston and I are back from Iraq.  Thanks to Allah and Ian for holding down the fort at HA and thanks much to guest-bloggers Mary Katharine Ham, See-Dubya, and the Big Lizards for filling in here during my absence.  Be sure to bookmark their blogs.

Anti-Buildup Measure to Have Bipartisan Stamp  —  Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, an outspoken Republican critic of the administration's Iraq policy, will join two leading Democrats in introducing a resolution opposing President Bush's buildup of troops in Iraq, putting a bipartisan stamp …

Preventive Quagmire  —  Kevin explains further his position on the rightness and wrongness of liberal hawks and doves and makes a lot of sense.  But on one point, I have to disagree completely: … Preventive war is based on the idea that an enemy (presumably) is preparing to do something …

An Apology to Detainees' Attorneys  —  During a radio interview last week, I brought up the topic of pro bono work and habeas corpus representation of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Regrettably, my comments left the impression that I question the integrity of those engaged in the zealous defense of detainees in Guantanamo.

Lawmakers' Lobbying Spouses Avoid Hill Reforms  —  When Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) rose to the Senate floor last summer and passionately argued for keeping the federal estate tax, he left one person with an interest in retaining the tax unmentioned.  —  The multibillion-dollar life-insurance industry …

Iowa Dems favor Edwards, GOP Favors Giuliani, McCain  —  Zogby's Road To New Hampshire telephone polling series kicks off with Hillary in a second-tier dogfight and Republicans split between conservative Gingrich and moderate candidates  —  Zogby's Newest Polling Packages Available Now for Purchase …

Hangings Fuel Sectarian Split Across Mideast  —  The botched hanging of Saddam Hussein and two lieutenants in Iraq by its Shiite-led government has helped to accelerate Sunni-Shiite sectarianism across an already fragile Middle East, according to experts across the region.

Iran shoots down U.S. spy drone amid growing military pressure  —  TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) — Iranian troops have shot down a U.S. pilotless spy plane recently, an Iranian lawmaker announced on Tuesday as the Islamic Republic was facing increasing military pressure from its arch rival — the United States.

Justice Dept. Names New Prosecutors, Forcing Some Out  —  The Justice Department is removing several United States attorneys from their jobs, among them Carol C. Lam, the top federal prosecutor in San Diego, who led the corruption prosecution of former Representative Randy Cunningham.

What's Wrong With Vocational School?  —  Too many Americans are going to college.  —  The topic yesterday was education and children in the lower half of the intelligence distribution.  Today I turn to the upper half, people with IQs of 100 or higher.  Today's simple truth is that far …

Oil Lease Chief Knew of Error, Report Asserts  —  A top Interior Department official was told nearly three years ago about a legal blunder that allowed drilling companies to avoid billions of dollars in payments for oil and gas pumped from publicly owned waters, a report by the department's chief independent investigator has found.

Shakeup: Kerry spokesman plays down staff changes, but admits they may be factor in 2008  —  Kerry hires two more at DC office, promotes communications chief  —  The Democrats' 2004 presidential nominee has added two new members to his Washington Senate staff and promoted his Communications Director …

Taliban Leader Is Hiding and Being Protected in Pakistan, Says Spokesman  —  Maddy Sauer and Gretchen Peters Report:  —  Fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar is alive and well and living in Pakistan under the protection of the Pakistan intelligence agency, according to the captured spokesman for the Taliban, Mohammad Hanif.

In poll, Jindal bests Blanco in new battle for governor  —  Voters' perceptions of pair appear set  —  BATON ROUGE — U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal would handily defeat Gov. Kathleen Blanco if a rematch of their 2003 governor's race were held today, according to an independent survey that also suggests …

Crude Oil Rises After Failing to Break Through $50 a Barrel  —  Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) — Crude oil rebounded after failing to break through $50 a barrel in New York as cold weather moved into the Northeast.  —  Futures approached $50 in early trading today.  Below-normal temperatures will cover …

Castro surgery seems to have been botched: experts  —  MIAMI (Reuters) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro has long prided himself on Cuba's doctors and free public health care system, but that system seems to have let him down after he fell ill in July , U.S.-based doctors said on Tuesday.