Iraq at Risk of Further Strife, Intelligence Report Warns  —  A new National Intelligence Estimate depicts an Iraq involved in a multi-faceted struggle among religious groups and sects and says that without a sharp reversal in the violence and changes among the Shiite, Sunni and Kurd leadership, the situation could further deteriorate.

The Edwards-Marcotte Fiasco  —  An astute observer of this case recommends analyzing events through the prism of what he's termed the "courage-meter."  People in positions of authority have displayed little or no courage to do the right thing throughout this affair.

Video: Imam prays to stop 'oppression and occupation' at DNC meeting Update: Imam ID'd Update: More info on Imam  —  The Democratic National Committee is in the midst of its winter meeting.  Here's the convocation for today's festivities, offered by an imam.  —  Transcript:

Edwards On Iran  —  TAP talks to John Edwards about America's foreign policy challenges in the Middle East. … EK: So, the Iran speech to Herzliya.  That caused me to think a little bit more about what we had spoken about Iraq [in a previous interview].  And so I wanted to talk to you for a minute about —

Climate Panel Issues Urgent Warning to Curb Gases  —  The world is already committed to centuries of warming, shifting weather patterns and rising seas from the atmospheric buildup of gases that trap heat, but the warming can be substantially blunted by prompt action, an international network of climate experts said today.

Bush administration seeks $245B for wars  —  WASHINGTON - The Bush administration will ask for another $100 billion for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan this year and seek $145 billion for 2008, a senior administration official said Friday.

FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS MOST COMFORTABLE WITH RUDY GIULIANI AS PRESIDENT  —  NEW YORK — More voters say they would be comfortable with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as president than other top 2008 contenders, though majorities would also be comfortable with other leaders from both parties …

The Hands of God  —  A Village, North of Mosul: Friday 26 January 07  —  He was dressed as a woman as he walked down the alley toward the mosque full of worshippers.  It was Friday, just before Ashura, and the air was chilled.  —  The bomb strapped to his body was studded with ball-bearings …

Defense Official Resigns Over Detainee Remarks  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Pentagon official resigned Friday over controversial remarks in which he criticized lawyers who represent terrorism suspects, the Defense Department said.  —  Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said Charles ''Cully'' Stimson …

Sex scandal a serious obstacle to mayor's hopes for higher office  —  With the startling admission — and public apology — regarding an affair with his campaign manager's wife, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom set off on Thursday what one Democratic strategist described as a mushroom cloud over his promising political career.

Perky Economy Starts to Relieve Worker Angst  —  Maybe the U.S. economy added 111,000 jobs last month, but maybe it didn't.  Given that the Labor Department later revised higher its monthly jobs numbers 75 percent of the time last year, there's a good chance the final number for January will be somewhere north of 111,000.

How to Really Help Low-Wage Workers  —  If the House and Senate are able to agree on a minimum-wage hike and the president signs the bill, some may say we will have done enough to help low-income workers.  It's true that low-wage workers urgently need a raise, that millions of Americans work full …