Snowden Said to Plan Asylum in ‘Democratic Country’  —  HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government announced Sunday afternoon that it had allowed the departure from its territory of Edward J. Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who has acknowledged disclosing classified documents …

America Can Take a Breather.  And It Should.  —  THE United States is currently enjoying an unprecedented respite in the foreign policy arena — a temporary relief from the normal rigors of history that allows us to take stock at home and abroad.  —  It may seem outlandish to claim that we're …

Obama to take sweeping action on climate  —  President Obama will announce his intention to limit greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants, increase appliance efficiency standards and promote renewable energy development on public lands in a speech Tuesday outlining his plan to use executive powers to address climate change.

Morality study finds conservatives show a ‘general insensitivity to consequences’  —  When it comes to topics like abortion or assisted suicide, there seems to be no common ground between conservatives and liberals.  Why is there such a noticeable rift between the two political orientations?

Supreme Court Weighs Cases Redefining Legal Equality  —  WASHINGTON — Within days, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a series of decisions that could transform three fundamental social institutions: marriage, education and voting.  —  The extraordinary run of blockbuster rulings due …

Conservative donors eye independent groups with new skepticism  —  Charlie Spies knows how to raise money.  The Republican lawyer helped rake in $153 million for Restore Our Future, the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC.  —  But he's had a harder slog with one of his latest projects …