Open the Trade Deal  —  For most of the 1990s, I was an ardent free trader.  I learned my economics from Marty Feldstein, Reagan's chief economic advisor, and I'm still someone who sees immense benefits in globalization.  We're going to need to figure out new models for trade, carbon tariffs, changes in currency trading systems, etc.

General says he needs more troops  —  U.S. commander for northern Iraq cites the growing violence in Diyala province.  —  BAGHDAD — The commander of U.S. forces in northern Iraq said Friday that he did not have enough troops to deal with the escalating violence in Iraq's Diyala province …

Billions in Oil Missing in Iraq, U.S. Study Says  —  Between 100,000 and 300,000 barrels a day of Iraq's declared oil production over the past four years is unaccounted for and could have been siphoned off through corruption or smuggling, according to a draft American government report.

Ex-U.S. Attorney Questions Own Firing  —  Former W.Va. Prosecutor Says He Has 'Concerns' About Firing By Bush Administration  —  (AP) A former West Virginia federal prosecutor said Friday the White House fired him in 2005 in the middle of a corruption and vote-buying investigation but never told him why.

Giuliani Takes On G.O.P. Orthodoxy on Social Issues  —  Rudolph W. Giuliani directly challenged Republican orthodoxy on Friday, asserting that his support for abortion rights, gun control and gay rights should not disqualify him from winning the party's presidential nomination.

Zimbabwe to head U.N. body over U.S. objection … UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Zimbabwe won approval on Friday to head a key U.N. body charged with promoting economic progress and environmental protection despite protests from the U.S., European nations and human rights organizations.

Factual Statements=Unprotected Harassment!?  A Terrifying Precedent at Tufts  —  Today, FIRE announced the decision by a disciplinary panel at Tufts to find the conservative student newspaper, The Primary Source, guilty of "harassment" for, among other things, publishing a satirical ad …

Religious Groups Granted Millions for Pet Projects  —  Saint Vincent College, a small Benedictine college southeast of Pittsburgh, wanted to realign a two-lane state road serving the campus.  But the state transportation department did not have the money.  —  So Saint Vincent tried Washington instead.

Momentum builds against GOP candidates  —  The week had the feel of 1974.  Republican members of Congress marched to the White House to deliver a frank message to an embattled president: You are a liability.  —  Three decades ago, it was Watergate.  Now, it's Iraq.

Obama talks hybrids, but his ride has a Hemi  —  Sen. Barack Obama talks a good game.  He also drives a good car, but the two are not entirely compatible.  —  The Democratic presidential contender was in Detroit on Monday, oozing charisma and environmental awareness as he chided local automakers …

Congressman McHenry's Campaign Aide Indicted  —  The CBS News Investigative Unit has learned a man who was a field coordinator in Congressman Patrick McHenry's (R-NC) 2004 campaign has been indicted for voter fraud in North Carolina.  —  The indictment charges that Michael Aaron Lay, 26 …

Civilian Deaths Undermine Allies' War on Taliban  —  Scores of civilian deaths over the past months from heavy American and allied reliance on airstrikes to battle Taliban insurgents are threatening popular support for the Afghan government and creating severe strains within the NATO alliance.

Religion and Insurgency  —  A few commentators have panned the new counterinsurgency manual for insufficient emphasis on religion.  There is a grain of truth in this criticism but, as a practitioner, the evidence I see does not really support it.  Rather, field data suggest …

Pakistan set to declare state of emergency  —  President Musharraf could declare a state of emergency in Pakistan amid growing civil unrest against his increasingly embattled regime.  —  Security forces were placed on high alert yesterday, detaining hundreds of activists on the eve of an anti-government rally in Karachi.