McCain Calls Russian Hacking a ‘Form of Warfare’  —  John McCain says there is no doubt about Russian hacking, which he called “warfare.”  —  President-elect Donald J. Trump formally names John F. Kelly, a retired Marine general, as secretary of homeland security.

Five Questions About Russia's Election Hacking  —  The evidence to support the CIA's conclusion that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump remains mostly secret.  But the outline of the case is no mystery.  Both Democratic and Republican Party servers were reportedly hacked …

What's Behind Trump's Move to the Right?  —  He owes nothing to the old guard, he sees a window for bold reforms, and he knows who his enemies are.  —  The biggest surprise Donald Trump has provided as president-elect is just how conservative a cabinet he is putting together.

Democrats fear another Trump trouncing  —  As Donald Trump's inauguration draws near, Democrats fear they remain woefully unprepared to fight the new president's agenda.  —  The party loses its standard-bearer once President Barack Obama leaves office, and the Democratic National Committee …

Electors demand intelligence briefing before Electoral College vote  —  Ten members of the Electoral College, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's daughter Christine and a former member of Congress, are demanding a briefing from U.S. intelligence officials on any ongoing investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russia.

Patriotic Opposition to Donald Trump  —  Nothing is safe or sacrosanct in Donald Trump's developing governance team, and America had better start being alarmed about it and moving to actively oppose it.  —  The time for voting has elapsed, but the time for being vocal has emerged.  —  Let's take the tally:

China Warns Trump Against Using Taiwan for Leverage on Trade  —  President-elect defends call from Taiwan President Tsai  —  Trump says other nations shouldn't dictate who U.S. speaks to  —  China warned Donald Trump against using the One-China policy regarding Taiwan as a bargaining chip in trade talks …

Israel wants mosques to turn the volume way down  —  JERUSALEM — When the call to prayer begins in the Palestinian neighborhoods here, the Muslim faithful hear a song beautiful and sublime.  Hour by hour, five times a day, it is the soundtrack of their lives.  And it stirs deep emotions.

McConnell rejects special panel for Russian election interference allegations  —  (R-Ky.) on Monday said recent findings by the CIA that the Russian government tied to influence the U.S. presidential election should be investigated by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

China flies nuclear bomber over South China Sea to ‘send a message’ to Donald Trump  —  China flew a nuclear-capable bomber outside its borders in a show of force less than a week before US President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with the president of Taiwan, it has been reported.

Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson Faces Senate Dissent as Potential State Pick  —  Trump's top choice for secretary of state faces bipartisan resistance over ties to Putin  —  WASHINGTON— Exxon Mobil Corp. Chief Executive Rex Tillerson, the top choice for secretary of state in a Trump administration …

Dems grapple with lessons from Clinton disaster  —  Democrats are grappling with how to draw the right lessons — and avoid the wrong ones — after an extraordinary presidential election.  —  Hillary Clinton  —  's loss to Donald Trump  —  is an unmitigated disaster for Democrats, who want to ensure nothing like it happens again.

Flynn deputy raises more doubts about Trump team  —  At a political rally in June 2009, Donald Trump's soon-to-be deputy national security adviser, K.T. McFarland, offered a jarring prediction.  —  China might cancel the Fourth of July, she said.  —  “They're going to want something for their money.

Sam Venable: Santa grants a final wish  —  Eric Schmitt-Matzen looks every bit the part of Santa Claus.  —  His 6-foot frame carries 310 pounds, leaving “just enough of a lap for the kids to sit on,” he says with a gentle Kringley chuckle right out of Central Casting.  —  No fake facial fuzz for this guy.