Experts Doubt Drop In Violence in Iraq  —  Military Statistics Called Into Question  —  The U.S. military's claim that violence has decreased sharply in Iraq in recent months has come under scrutiny from many experts within and outside the government, who contend that some of the underlying statistics …

Transcript of the Fox News Republican Presidential Candidates Debate  —  The Fox News Republican Presidential Candidates Debate in Durham, N.H. with candidates: Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas); the former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani; the former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee …

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti dead at 71  —  (CNN) — Famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who appeared on stage with singers as varied as opera star Dame Joan Sutherland, U2's Bono and Liza Minnelli, died Thursday in Italy after suffering from pancreatic cancer, manager Terri Robson said in a statement.

How I Didn't Dismantle Iraq's Army  —  "The Iraqi Army of the future cannot be an extension of the present army, which has been made into a tool of dictatorship."  — Report by the Department of State's Future of Iraq Project, May 2002  —  IT has become conventional wisdom that the decision …

Syria: Air defenses fired at Israeli aircraft over our airspace  —  Syrian air defenses opened fire on IAF aircraft that violated Syrian airspace overnight Thursday, a Syrian military spokesman said.  —  "We warn the Israeli enemy government against this flagrant aggressive act …

Dems already dismissing Iraq war report  —  Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, talked with reporters yesterday in Washington.  "We know what is going to be in it," he said of the Iraq war report next week.  "I expect the Bush report to say, 'The surge is working.

Petraeus for President?  —  "Senators and distinguished guests, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to testify in respect of progress in the Battle of Iraq.  Before I do however, there are a few things I'd like to get off of my chest.  Although your house of Congress confirmed …

The Making of the Front-Runner  —  As the serious stage of the presidential campaign begins this fall, Hillary Rodham Clinton has clearly established herself in the lead of the race for the Democratic nomination.  That makes her the most worthy subject for examination among all the White House prospects.

Bush knew Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction  —  Salon exclusive: Two former CIA officers say the president squelched top-secret intelligence, and a briefing by George Tenet, months before invading Iraq.  —  (Clockwise from top left) Naji Sabri, George W. Bush, Colin Powell and George Tenet.

Baghdad Burning  —  ... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...  Leaving Home...  Two months ago, the suitcases were packed.  My lone, large suitcase sat in my bedroom for nearly six weeks, so full of clothes and personal items, that it took me …

GAO Criticizes Homeland Security's Efforts to Fulfill Its Mission  —  Hobbled by inadequate funding, unclear priorities, continuing reorganizations and the absence of an overarching strategy, the U.S. Homeland Security Department is failing to achieve its mission of preventing and responding …