The General's Long View Could Cut Withdrawal Debate Short  —  If Gen. David H. Petraeus has his way, tens of thousands of U.S. troops will be in Iraq for years to come.  —  Iraq's armed forces are improving, Petraeus told Congress yesterday.  Overall violence is down.

By Bush's Own Standard, Surge Has Failed  —  Before Gen. David Petraeus' report, and to give it a context of optimism, the president visited Iraq's Anbar province to underscore the success of the surge in making some hitherto anarchic areas less so.  More significant, however, was the fact that the president did not visit Baghdad.

THAT FOX "EXCLUSIVE"  —  If you need a quick take on the Petraeus/Crocker interview tonight on Fox News, you catch this clip in which Brit Hume helps Petraeus explain how the Iraq War is really "more than anything else a War with al Qaeda."

Clinton to return $850,000 raised by Hsu  —  WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign said Monday it will return $850,000 in donations raised by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws.

Anti-Thompson Site Connects to Romney Camp  —  A top adviser to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney appears to be behind today's launch of a new Web site attacking GOP presidential rival Fred Thompson.  —  The site, www.phoneyfred.org, paints an unflattering picture of Thompson …

In Poll, Voters See Strengths and Flaws in Giuliani  —  Republican voters say Rudolph W. Giuliani has strong leadership qualities, and they associate him closely with his handling of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but those impressions have not translated into a substantial advantage …

THAT POLL OF IRAQIS  —  There's been a lot of attention to that poll that showed that the great majority of Iraqis (70%) believe that the surge has failed and that security conditions have deteriorated.  But there's a lot more in that poll that's worth looking at.  (Click here for the full results.)

The Times Is a Terrible Thing to Waste  —  General David Petraeus's first day of testimony was completely accurate, and consistent with my recent experiences around Iraq.  Everything he said during the public hearing on Monday was measured, cogent, and demonstrably accurate.

67 wounded in Qassam attack  —  (Video) Rocket launched from northern Gaza lands in western Negev military base, injures dozens of soldiers, the largest number of casualties from a Qassam attack  —  VIDEO - About 67 Israeli soldiers were wounded after a Qassam rocket launched from northern Gaza landed …

Young Muslims begin dangerous fight for the right to abandon faith  —  A group of young Muslim apostates launches a campaign today, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, to make it easier to renounce Islam.  —  The provocative move reflects a growing rift between traditionalists …