U.S. Is Likely to Continue Aid to Pakistan  —  The Bush administration signaled Sunday that it would probably keep billions of dollars flowing to Pakistan's military, despite the detention of human rights advocates and leaders of the political opposition by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the country's president.

Video: Fred Thompson on MTP, says he doesn't support the Human Life Amendment  —  Sen. Fred Thompson appeared on Meet the Press today and, Clintons take note, had to answer some tough questions asked by host Tim Russert.  He discussed the crisis in Pakistan, his support for concealed carry laws on university campuses, and other issues.

Republican Nomination Most Open in Decades  —  For the first time in nearly 30 years, there is no breakaway front-runner for the Republican nomination as the first votes of Campaign 2008 loom, and a new Washington Post-ABC News poll underscores how open the GOP race remains.

Religiosity and income in the U.S.  —  David noticed this article by Dan Mitchell reporting the well-known fact that people in richer countries tend to be less religious.  What about states in the U.S.?  We (that is, David Park, Joe Bafumi, Boris Shor, and I) look at it two ways.

Experts: No evidence of Iranian nuclear weapons program  —  WASHINGTON — Despite President Bush's claims that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons that could trigger "World War III," experts in and out of government say there's no conclusive evidence that Tehran has an active nuclear-weapons program.

Missteps on Both Sides Led to Health Bill Veto  —  They met almost every day in the spring and summer, a handful of powerful senators who had cleared their schedules to forge a bipartisan compromise providing health insurance to 10 million children.  —  It was a remarkable commitment …

Tom Udall on Possible Senate Run: Two Weeks to Decide  —  Rep. Tom Udall (NM-03) spoke to New Mexico Democrats yesterday at the Party's State Central Committee meeting at Smith-Brasher hall at CNM in Albuquerque.  Bottom line: Udall will take another two weeks to listen to what the people …

Audio: NBC football goes green  —  Geez.  Football used to be one of the few places on earth you could escape moonbattery and politics in general.  But not anymore, at least not on NBC.  Noooo.  First they had to put Keith Olbermann in their coverage.  And now the pull a lame green stunt on their pre-game show.

PetroChina expected to surpass Exxon Mobil as most valuable company  —  HONG KONG: When the state oil and natural gas company PetroChina makes its debut Monday on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, China's booming stock markets will be on the verge of another milestone.

An Unlikely Partnership Left Behind  —  It felt familiar, as if the past five years had not happened — the Republican president and the Democratic senator together again, plotting ways to reshape the nation's education system.  As they sat in the Oval Office that day back in January …

The zero percent solution  —  A renaissance for 'Islamic finance' — a version of capitalism that avoids interest — offers innovative financial tools to Muslim and non-Muslim alike  —  LAST MONTH, two economists published a working paper suggesting an unusual way to diversify one's investment portfolio …

Israel, with US support, says peace possible by end of 2008  —  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he may be able to make peace with the Palestinians by the end of 2008 as the United States vowed to defend Israel's security during the difficult process.