Bill Clinton Flatly Asserts He Opposed War at Start  —  During a campaign swing for his wife, former President Bill Clinton said flatly yesterday that he opposed the war in Iraq "from the beginning" — a statement that is more absolute than his comments before the invasion in March 2003.

Head of Rove Inquiry in Hot Seat Himself  —  Bloch Used Private Company,  —  Geeks on Call, to Delete Files  —  On His Office Computer  —  WASHINGTON — The head of the federal agency investigating Karl Rove's White House political operation is facing allegations that he improperly …

South Carolina Poll: Mitt, Huck Up, Rudy Cratering, Race Super-Volatile  —  Greetings from Clemson, South Carolina, where John McCain is scheduled to make an appearance this morning before heading to Florida for the YouTube debate.  —  But the big news here is a new Palmetto Poll …

The GOP and 'the Internets'  —  Tonight in Florida, the Republican presidential field will reluctantly take the stage at the CNN/YouTube debate to answer some of the more than 3,000 questions submitted online from ordinary people over the previous weeks.  —  Just like the Democratic YouTube debate …

Caution: Taliban Crossing  —  IN the early 1900s, a crusty British general, Andrew Skeen, wrote a guide to military operations in the Pashtun tribal belt, in what is now Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province.  His first piece of advice: "When planning a military expedition into Pashtun tribal areas …

In Iowa, Mormon Issue Is Benefiting Huckabee  —  The religious divide over Mitt Romney's Mormon faith that his supporters had long feared would occur is emerging in Iowa as he is being challenged in state polls by Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor who has played up his faith in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Oasis or Mirage?  —  The Middle East is experiencing something we haven't seen in a long, long time: moderates getting their act together a little, taking tentative stands and pushing back on the bad guys.  If all that sounds kind of, sort of, maybe, qualified, well ... it is.

Democrats' health plans echo Nixon's failed GOP proposal  —  WASHINGTON — Even before Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton unveiled her new health-care plan, Republicans attacked it as socialized medicine.  They neglected to mention, however, that her plan bears a striking resemblance …

GOP will demand 'oath' of February primary voters  —  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — If you're planning to vote in Virginia's February Republican presidential primary, be prepared to sign an oath swearing your Republican loyalty.  —  The State Board of Elections on Monday approved a state Republican Party request …

Cabbies, Though Still Wary, Find a Wider Comfort Zone  —  BAGHDAD — Haider Abbas, a 36-year-old taxi driver, had only a few moments to answer what is often a life-or-death question in this city: Would he drive a passenger home?  —  The home, on that scorching afternoon last month …

Sudan Charges British Teacher With Insulting Religion  —  KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan on Wednesday charged a British teacher with insulting religion and inciting hatred, a crime punishable by up to 40 lashes, six months in prison or a fine, after she named a class teddy bear "Muhammad."

Obama's Amnesia Problem  —  It's a cultural cliche: Americans don't care about the past.  De Tocqueville noticed it in the 1830s, speculating that in 50 years Americans would know less about the America he visited than the French knew about the Middle Ages.  Nearly two centuries later, people are still making the point.