Chafee quietly quits the GOP … PROVIDENCE — Lincoln D. Chafee, who lost his Senate seat in the wave of anti-Republican sentiment in last November's election, said yesterday that he has left the party.  —  Chafee said he disaffiliated with the party he had helped lead …

Israelis 'blew apart Syrian nuclear cache'  —  Secret raid on Korean shipment  —  Uzi Mahnaimi in Tel Aviv, Sarah Baxter in Washington and Michael Sheridan  —  IT was just after midnight when the 69th Squadron of Israeli F15Is crossed the Syrian coast-line.  On the ground, Syria's formidable air defences went dead.

Albright Says U.S. Must Use Diplomacy Surge  —  Former Secretary Of State Says Iraq Worse Than Vietnam  —  DES MOINES, Iowa — Once the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States government, Madeleine Albright, spent Friday in central Iowa.  —  The former Secretary of State …

Bush May Name Former Federal Judge to Succeed Gonzales  —  A former federal judge from New York has emerged as a contender to succeed Alberto R. Gonzales as attorney general, as the White House moved closer to announcing President Bush's choice to lead the Justice Department, according to associates of several prospective candidates.

The Economics Of Bling  —  It's a real phenomenon: … Sorry but can't resist:

Lindsey Graham's Realism  —  Now that the president has endorsed the Petraeus-Crocker plan for Iraq, it is worth noting one exchange from their Senate hearings.  —  Some senators, such as Barbara Boxer of California, were so self-absorbed they could not manage to ask a single question …

Sparse Schedule for Thompson on Trail  —  At his second campaign stop of the day on Friday, just after 2 p.m., Fred D. Thompson was deep into a riff on the benefits of high-quality American health care.  —  "It's allowing us to live healthier lives and to live longer," Mr. Thompson …

US Gets Sattar Assassin  —  The US has captured the al-Qaeda terrorist who masterminded the assassination of the leader of Anbar Awakening.  Intelligence following the murder pinned it on Fallah Khalifa Hiyas Fayyas al-Jumayli, who got captured outide of a town north of Baghdad:

Bin Laden sidelined as al-Qaeda threat revives  —  Osama bin Laden's deputy has seized control of al-Qaeda and rebuilt the terror network into an organisation capable of launching complex terror attacks in Britain and America.  —  Intelligence officials have told The Sunday Telegraph …

In Colorado, Drilling Some Holes in the Republican Base  —  White House Push For Oil, Gas Turning A Red State Purple  —  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bush administration's aggressive drive to promote oil and gas drilling on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains has sparked growing anger …

Raids, Grenades, and Gunfire: The Last Few Days in Samarra, Part II  —  Note: Click here for the rest of Jeff's articles, dispatches, and updates from the front lines in Iraq.  —  The operations tempo here in Samarra has been so high lately that I haven't had a chance to write up many updates …

The Next War  —  It's always looming.  But has our military learned the right lessons from this one to fight it and win?  —  Testifying before Congress last week, Gen. David H. Petraeus appeared commanding, smart and alive to the challenges that his soldiers face in Iraq.