Deadliest Bomb in Iraq Is Made by Iran, U.S. Says  —  The most lethal weapon directed against American troops in Iraq is an explosive-packed cylinder that United States intelligence asserts is being supplied by Iran.  —  The assertion of an Iranian role in supplying the device …

Sen. Obama launches White House run  —  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Democrat Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) announced Saturday that he is running for the White House in 2008, evoking Abraham Lincoln's ability to unite a nation and promising to lead a new generation to "transform this nation."

Target Iran: US able to strike in the spring  —  Despite denials, Pentagon plans for possible attack on nuclear sites are well advanced  —  US preparations for an air strike against Iran are at an advanced stage, in spite of repeated public denials by the Bush administration, according to informed sources in Washington.

Has Rudy Giuliani gotten incoherent about abortion?  —  Here's a NYT piece about how Rudy Giuliani is reframing his stance on abortion to appeal to conservatives.  It contains a quote that I found puzzling: … How is "strict construction" supposed to protect liberty …

Facing the Islamist Menace  —  Mark Steyn's new book is a welcome wake-up call.  —  In the prologue to his new book, America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It, Mark Steyn sarcastically alludes to two people whom, in different ways, I know well.  The first is novelist Martin Amis …

Democratic voters growing impatient with Congress  —  CHICAGO - In Washington, Democrats are blaming Republicans for the Senate's failure so far to vote on a resolution opposing a troop increase in Iraq.  —  But in the heartland, some voters say such excuses no longer are good enough.

When Petty Reporters Get Mad  —  Looks like the blogs are going to be busy this cycle rebutting smears against our candidates.  This latest is penned by Mike Allen. … How suspicious!  The answer, as both Brad Delong and The Poorman note, is that Swahili and Arabic are extremely similar languages …

OBAMA: IF YOU LOOK AFRICAN-AMERICAN, YOU ARE TREATED LIKE ONE  —  Acknowledging that his presidential campaign has opened a racial debate, Sen. Barack Obama, who has a white mother and an African father, says if you look African-American, you are treated like one.

Life Insurance for Palestinian Suicide Bombers  —  An important bank in the Arab world offers accounts paying a type of life insurance to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers.  But now it could soon face a lawsuit from American lawyers representing the victims.

For Lawyers, No Clear Favorite  —  Litigators Backed Edwards in 2004, but He Has New Competition  —  In the last presidential election, John Edwards had the powerful support and deep pockets of the nation's trial lawyers behind him.  But when the lawyers gather for their winter conference today …

U.S. Gives Tour of Family Detention Center That Critics Liken to a Prison  —  Responding to complaints about conditions at the nation's main family detention center for illegal immigrants, officials threw open the gates on Friday for a first news media tour.