Brutality of Syrian Rebels Posing Dilemma in West  —  The Syrian rebels posed casually, standing over their prisoners with firearms pointed down at the shirtless and terrified men.  —  The prisoners, seven in all, were captured Syrian soldiers.  Five were trussed, their backs marked with red welts.

N.S.A. Foils Much Internet Encryption  —  The National Security Agency is winning its long-running secret war on encryption, using supercomputers, technical trickery, court orders and behind-the-scenes persuasion to undermine the major tools protecting the privacy of everyday communications …

Obama cancels LA trip as ‘no’ votes on Syria resolution pile up (Video)  —  President Obama has scrapped a planned two-day trip to Los Angeles early next week ahead of a congressional vote on a military strike against Syria.  —  The cancellation of the trip suggests the urgency …

Obama needs game-changer to win House vote on Syria  —  President Obama's request for congressional approval of a military strike in Syria is facing failure and could need a significant game-changer to pass the House.  —  While the authorization request might pass the Democratic-controlled Senate …

Major New Study On Obamacare Premiums Should End The ‘Rate Shock’ Hysteria Once And For All  —  The most comprehensive study on Obamacare to date finds that Americans' insurance premiums under the health law will be “lower than expected.”  Many Americans will pay even less than the top-line rates …

Kerry Blows Up At GOP Rep For Harping On Benghazi At Syria Hearing (VIDEO)  —  Secretary of State John Kerry erupted at Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) after the congressman charged that the Obama administration cannot be trusted to carry out an attack on Syria due to mistakes made in Benghazi …

It's Official: Alec Baldwin to Host Talk Show on MSNBC  —  The actor and will anchor a 10 p.m. program on Fridays beginning in October.  —  Alec Baldwin  —  Alec Baldwin has finalized a deal to host a weekly night-time talk show on MSNBC.  The program - Up Late with Alec Baldwin will bow …

SUSPENDED: Michigan State removes prof who went on anti-Republican tirade  —  Michigan State administrators have suspended Prof. William Penn for the remainder of the semester, after he was caught on video going on an anti-Republican tirade on the very first day of his literature class.

Was Mitt Romney Right About Everything?  —  From Russia to Mali to Detroit, Romney's biggest fans say they've been vindicated.  “Obviously, it would have been nice if any of these incidents would have occurred during the campaign.”  —  Romney pauses as he addresses supporters during his election night rally.

Can We Pay a Minimum Wage That Makes Everyone Rich?  —  Last week, fast-food workers staged a one-day strike in 60 U.S. cities to demand a minimum wage of $15 an hour, more than double the current federal minimum of $7.25.  The nationwide effort, “Fight for 15,” was organized by the Service Employees International Union.

The Right Questions on Syria  —  Critics of American military action in Syria are right to point out all the risks and uncertainties of missile strikes, and they have American public opinion on their side.  —  But for those of you who oppose cruise missile strikes, what alternative do you favor?

On Syria, Words Have Consequences  —  Striking at Assad won't end the conflict.  But it may drag the U.S. into a complex civil war.  —  From the start of the Syrian ­conflict, President Obama has wanted to take two very different approaches to it.  On the one hand, he has been disciplined …

The Era of Disbelief  —  This is a particularly bad time to sell the American people a war, and make no mistake: we are being sold, and this “military action,” in another time and place — and in some quarters, here and now — would be called an act of war.  —  Americans are not only weary of war …

Rand Paul's Syria Bible Thumping  —  Why does he only seem to care about the country's Christians?  —  “I have nothing good to say about Assad,” Kentucky Senator Rand Paul made sure to stipulate on a hurried conference call after the marathon Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Syria yesterday.

Keep your shoes, jackets on: TSA to expand pre-screening program  —  Washington (CNN) — More airports around the United States will soon allow passengers to go through security without removing their shoes, light jackets, and belts.  —  The Transportation Security Administration is expanding …

Top House Republican Rewrites History, Claims Reagan Stood Up To Chemical Weapons Use  —  A top Republican lawmaker on Thursday invoked Ronald Reagan to say that Obama was weak for not acting more directly in response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons, ignoring the fact …

Saving Obama From Himself  —  The next couple of weeks will be full of surprises, twists and turns, as this country debates in its Congress and media and living rooms whether to launch another war in the Middle East.  But I think it's fair to offer a preliminary assessment of where the wind is blowing.

Obama struggles to convince Congress Syria isn't about him  —  President Obama is struggling to convince lawmakers, foreign leaders and the public that military action in Syria isn't about him.  —  Opponents of a military intervention in Syria say the president is trying to save face …

John Boehner May Save America After All  —  Cops Not Into Video of Daredevil Driving Really Fast Around Manhattan  —  John Boehner has sworn up and down that he is going to stay in his job as Speaker of the House past the 2014 elections.  Jonathan Ward thinks John Boehner is lying.

Groundhog Deja Clusterf@#k  —  As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers America's response to the war in Syria, John McCain ponders his response to the river card.  (05:44)