Thompson a Target at G.O.P. Debate  —  The Republican presidential candidates clashed Wednesday night in their most contentious debate of the campaign, in pointed exchanges over immigration, the war in Iraq and who among them is the best prepared to be commander in chief.

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 …

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.

FBI Makes 11 Corruption Arrests In N.J.  —  NEW YORK — Eleven public officials were charged Thursday in a widespread FBI corruption investigation in New Jersey, officials said.  —  Among those charged were Passaic Mayor Sammy Rivera and Orange Mayor Mims Hackett, investigators said.

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 …

Luciano Pavarotti, Italian Tenor, Is Dead at 71  —  Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian singer whose ringing, pristine sound set a standard for operatic tenors of the postwar era, died early this morning at his home in Modena, in northern Italy.  He was 71.  —  His death was announced by his manager, Terri Robson.

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 …

Larry Craig and "Don't Tap, Don't Tell"  —  The ignominious fall of Senator Larry Craig casts new light on the importance of the nation's "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning open homosexuals from military service.  —  If preventing public sex in airport men's rooms is important enough …

Shocking truth about Fred Thompson revealed!  —  Before we get too far into the brand-new presidential campaign of Fred Thompson, which began in the wee hours of this morning in a webcast at Fred08.com, we need to straighten one thing out for the official record.

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.

Craig supporters call for boycott of Minneapolis airport  —  BATTLE GROUND, Wash. — Supporters of Sen. Larry Craig with the American Land Rights Association are calling for a boycott of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport.  —  The Battle Ground (Washington) based association says airport police …

A Wall Street Trader Draws Some Subprime Lessons: Michael Lewis  —  Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) — So right after the Bear Stearns funds blew up, I had a thought: This is what happens when you lend money to poor people.  —  Don't get me wrong: I have nothing personally against the poor.

Report: Massive U.S. 'Footprint' In Iraq Conveys 'Permanence,' 'Opposite Impression Is Needed'  —  A report released yesterday by a 20-member commission, headed by retired Marine Gen. James Jones, reported it will be at least 12 to 18 months before Iraq's army and police can take charge.

Herndon to Shut Down Center for Day Laborers  —  The Town of Herndon announced yesterday that it would close its 21-month-old day-laborer center next week instead of complying with a judge's ruling that the site must be open to all residents, including those who might be illegal immigrants.

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 …