Iran's Proxy War  —  Tehran is on the offensive against us throughout the Middle East.  Will Congress respond?  —  Earlier this week, the U.S. military made public new and disturbing information about the proxy war that Iran is waging against American soldiers and our allies in Iraq.

G.O.P. Support for Iraq Policy Erodes Further  —  Support among Republicans for President Bush's Iraq policy eroded further on Thursday as another senior lawmaker, Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico, broke with the White House just as Congressional Democrats prepared to renew their challenge to the war.

SiCKO: Ask The Right Question First  —  I saw Michael Moore's SiCKO last weekend, and I strongly recommend it to all.  It's Moore at his best — or worst, if you're on the receiving end — because it makes its main points powerfully and convincingly.  It's hilarious, infuriating, saddening and enlightening all at once.

FACTBOX-Assassination attempts against Pakistan's Musharraf  —  Source: Reuters  —  Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's plane was fired on as it took off on Friday from a military airfield in Rawalpindi, an intelligence officer said.  —  Musharraf's plane arrived safely in the southwestern town …

Republican enters race for ill senator's seat  —  South Dakota state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R) has officially entered the race for the Republican nomination to face Sen. Tim Johnson (D) in 2008.  —  Dykstra filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday and declared himself a "candidate for U.S. Senate."

Fresh terror raids on Australian hospitals  —  Police today raided two hospitals in Western Australia in connection with the failed terrorist plot in Britain.  —  Detectives have seized computer files and questioned five doctors of Indian background.  Four doctors have been released.

Call it like it is  —  Q: Who is winning the really important war of ideas — the one between the West and itself?  A: Not the side that understands jihad as a foundational Islamic institution.  —  This is nothing new.  From September 11 onward, the yeoman effort of elites has been to wrench "Islam" away from all acts of jihad.

exclusive: rupert murdoch buys dow jones, owners of the wall street journal  —  Rupert Murdoch has succeeded with his $5 billion bid for Dow Jones.  Negotiations are now complete and a formal announcement is expected next week.  —  Rupert Murdoch has succeeded with his $5 billion bid for Dow Jones …

More Rimbaud and less Rambo, critics tell sweaty jogger Sarkozy  —  Read Charles Bremner's weblog  —  President Sarkozy has fallen foul of intellectuals and critics who see his passion for jogging as un-French, right-wing and even a ploy to brainwash his citizens.

The tragic collapse of America's standing in the world  —  (updated below)  —  One of the very few arguments one can make which will prompt virtually identical objections from both standard right-wing neoconservative fanatics as well as a small, unrepresentative cluster on the Left concerns …

Cool Reception for Conservative Radio  —  Many Popular Talk Shows Find Washington Just Isn't Listening  —  After conservative radio pundits encouraged opposition last month to the immigration bill that was before the Senate, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) was moved to declare, "Talk radio is running America."

Baqubah Update: 05 July 2007  —  Today marks "D +16" of Operation "Arrowhead Ripper," the Battle for Baqubah.  Arrowhead Ripper kicked off on 19 June 07.  I have several dispatches in the works about the major events since that time.  Although the serious fighting seems to be over …

De Villepin likely to face conspiracy charges  —  Police searched the home of Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister, yesterday as judges appeared close to charging him with conspiring to implicate Nicolas Sarkozy, now the President, in a corruption scandal.

With Bloomberg on Stage, Harsher Light on Giuliani  —  NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden was taken over by New York police and their families, all there for the graduation ceremony of 1,097 new officers.  A rousing video flashed images of police responding to the Sept. 11 attacks.