News in terror hot spots appears to aid Obama  —  Barack Obama's long-awaited and much-hyped trip overseas, in large part intended to overcome a perception that he's not up to the job of commander-in-chief, seems to have come at the perfect time as recent events in Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran have played into his message.

Dobson Leans Toward Endorsing McCain  —  There seems to be a kumbaya moment occurring on the conservative front, and it's one that would apply a salve to Senator John McCain's uneven, unsettled relationship with the religious right.  —  Enter James Dobson, who has at times been blistering in his criticisms of Mr. McCain.

Detainee's Trial in Military System Begins Today  —  GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Nearly seven years after President Bush declared an “extraordinary emergency” that empowered him to bring terrorists before military judges, Osama bin Laden's former driver is scheduled to go on trial Monday …

The Long Run: After 2000, McCain Learned to Work Levers of Power  —  Once better known for criticizing the Senate than for influencing it, John McCain has evolved into perhaps the chamber's most influential member.

Barack Obama's Butterfly Effect  —  Today on CBS's Face the Nation, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Afghanistan, told the paparazzi-pursued correspondent Lara Logan that “the objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki …

Influx of Voters Likely to Test New Machines  —  With millions of new voters heading to the polls this November and many states introducing new voting technologies, election officials and voting monitors say they fear the combination is likely to create long lines, stressed-out poll workers and late tallies on Election Day.

Their Fair Share  —  Washington is teeing up “the rich” for a big tax hike next year, as a way to make them “pay their fair share.”  Well, the latest IRS data have arrived on who paid what share of income taxes in 2006, and it's going to be hard for the rich to pay any more than they already do.

No Substitute for Victory  —  I'll go out on a limb and say that Barack Obama will be well received when he speaks in Berlin on July 24.  —  O.K., it's not exactly a limb.  A recent poll shows that the German public prefers Obama to John McCain by 67 percent to 6 percent.  —  But there is angst in Germany.

Study: Poor ballot designs still affect U.S. elections  —  WASHINGTON — Poorly designed ballots continue to plague U.S. elections, even after Congress set aside $3 billion to overhaul voting systems to prevent a recurrence of the flawed Florida ballots that deadlocked the 2000 presidential race, a study out today concludes.

Liberal Bloggers Brace for Victory  —  Obama's Prospects Pose New Concerns for Netroots  —  AUSTIN, July 20 — “Yep, the way it's looking, we might actually win this thing . . .”  —  That's Markos Moulitsas talking, a.k.a. “Kos” to everyone here at Netroots Nation, the four-day liberal blogapalooza …

President Bush lobbyist Stephen Payne in ‘bribes’ row quits  —  Cash for access at the White House is under scrutiny by Congress  —  An American government adviser and lobbyist, caught offering access to top White House figures in exchange for a $250,000 (£126,000) …

Gordon Brown aide a victim of honeytrap operation by Chinese agents  —  A top aide to Gordon Brown has been a suspected victim of a “honeytrap” operation by Chinese intelligence agents.  —  The aide, a senior Downing Street adviser who was with the prime minister on a trip to China earlier this year …