The plan for saving Iraq begins by ousting Maliki  —  What would an effective quick response to the catastrophic civil wars in Iraq and Syria look like?  Sometimes in foreign policy, as in sports, it can be useful to visualize the right technique — and then hit the ball.

John Doe prosecutors allege Scott Walker at center of ‘criminal scheme’  —  By Patrick Marley and Daniel Bice of the Journal Sentinel  —  Madison — Prosecutors allege that Gov. Scott Walker was at the center of an effort to illegally coordinate fundraising among conservative groups to help …

Brian Schweitzer says his ‘gaydar’ goes off when he sees Eric Cantor  —  (CNN) - Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer chose an interesting path and offered puzzling critiques since he tossed his name in the hat for a potential presidential run in 2016.  —  But comments the Democrat …

House GOP Crowns Kevin McCarthy The Next Majority Leader  —  House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of California will be the next majority leader.  —  As expected, Republicans elected McCarthy to replace ousted Rep. Eric Cantor once he steps down from the post on July 31.

Megyn Kelly to Dick Cheney: Wrong, sir  —  FOX News' Megyn Kelly had some tough questions for former Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday night, after he and his daughter, Liz, offered a scathing review of the Obama administration's foreign policy.  —  “In your op-ed [in the Wall Street Journal] …

Public Faith in Congress Falls Again, Hits Historic Low  —  Of major U.S. institutions, Americans most confident in the military  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans' confidence in Congress has sunk to a new low.  Seven percent of Americans say they have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” …

Hillary Clinton Asked To Inscribe “Hard Choices” To Ambassador Stevens  —  Jason Mattera caught up with Hillary Clinton at one of the DC stops on her book tour this week, and asked the former Secretary of State if she would mind signing a copy of Hard Choices... but with a twist.

CIA hatched plan to make demon toy to counter Osama bin Laden's influence  —  For more than a decade, the CIA has deployed drones, satellites, spies, informants and tracking devices to thwart al-Qaeda in Pakistan.  —  The spy agency also considered a plan to wage war with toys.

Editor's note: Michael Gerson replaces George Will  —  Dear Post-Dispatch readers,  —  Starting today, Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson replaces George Will on Thursdays and Sundays.  —  Mr. Gerson, who grew up in St. Louis and still has family here, is a former speechwriter and top aide to President George W. Bush.

Bill O'Reilly Uncensored: On Hillary Clinton, the 2016 GOP, and His Fox News Colleagues  —  Highlights from the <em>Factor</em> host's Upper East Side sit-down with Geraldo Rivera.  —  Even on New York City's Upper East Side, Bill O'Reilly can draw a packed house of true believers.

Why we're banning Redskins in The Seattle Times  —  The most controversial name in sports won't appear again in The Seattle Times' print edition or on the seattletimes.com home pages as long as I am sports editor.  —  It's time to ban the use of “Redskins,” the absurd, offensive and outdated name of the NFL team in Washington, D.C.

Why the Redskins Trademark Ruling Should Terrify You  —  Like most people, I haven't been all that interested in the controversy over whether the name of the Washington Redskins is offensive.  Personally, I'm more offended that Washington, DC, has become the kind of megalopolis that can support an NFL team.

Republican Congressman Tells Men: Wives “Desperately” Need Their Husbands To Step Up  —  “Your children need you.  Your woman, your wife, she needs you.  It's time that you become a real man.”  —  Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp Thursday talked Thursday about the need for husbands to step up …

Sources: Lois Lerner's emails likely gone forever  —  Ex-IRS official Lois Lerner's crashed hard drive has been recycled, making it likely the lost emails of the lightning rod in the tea party targeting controversy will never be found, according to multiple sources.

MARK UDALL VOTES ‘NO’ ON KEYSTONE, SAYS MORE TIME NEEDED; GOP POUNCES  —  Rarely has a dead-end vote caused this much trouble for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall.  —  But on Wednesday the Colorado Democrat was forced, once again, to pick sides in the fight over the Keystone XL pipeline …

High School In Woodbury Blocks Students From Accessing Conservative Sites  —  A Woodbury High Schooler claims he uncovered political bias in the implementation of a firewall blocking some political Web sites at his school.  —  18-year-old Andrew Lampart, a senior at Nonnewaug High School …