White House Adviser Van Jones Resigns Amid Controversy Over Past Activism  —  White House environmental adviser Van Jones resigned late Saturday after weeks of controversy stemming from his past activism.  —  “On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy …

In Afghanistan, Let's Keep It Simple  —  For much of the 20th century before the Soviet invasion in 1979, Afghanistan was a peaceful country living in harmony with its neighbors.  —  There was a king and a real government, which I witnessed in the 1970s when I frequently traveled there.

New Afghan war: Frontline correspondent says fight has morphed - but we still can't afford to lose  —  This story was published in the New York Daily News on 6 September 2009.  —  Helmand, Afghanistan - The West is losing this war.  This has been obvious for more than three years.

Wall Street Pursues Profit in Bundles of Life Insurance  —  After the mortgage business imploded last year, Wall Street investment banks began searching for another big idea to make money.  They think they may have found one.  —  The bankers plan to buy “life settlements,” …

Pelosi loath to drop hammer on Rangel  —  Why is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refusing a growing chorus of calls to drop the hammer on ethics-challenged Charlie Rangel?  —  Because, at the moment, doing nothing creates a lot less trouble for Pelosi than doing anything, current and former House aides tell POLITICO.