Tunisia, Egypt, Miami: The Importance of Internet Choke Points

The news Thursday evening that Egypt had severed itself from the global Internet came at the same time as an ostensibly far less inflammatory announcement closer to home.

What if the Muslim Brotherhood Comes Out on Top in Egypt?

Will a revolution in Egypt give way to Islamic extremism?

Egypt’s Protests Explained

From Cairo, TIME correspondent Abigail Hauslohner reports on the recent protests against the government and provides a broader view of what is at stake for Egypt and US relations in the Middle East.

Video From Tahrir Square: The Epicenter of Cairo's Protests

At Cairo's Liberation Square, Abigail Hauslohner finds Egyptians exhilarated by protests, fearful of police and the thugs who threaten their homes at night, and welcoming the arrival of the army.

Clinton: Egypt must be democratic

The Secretary of State espouses populist ideals for Egypt, but is noncommittal on Mubarak's future.

Why Is America So Afraid?

The Egyptian revolution threatens an American-imposed order of Arabophobia and false choices.

Men Will Forgive Cheating…As Long as It’s With Another Woman

Half of men say they would forgive their partner's infidelity, so long as it occurred with a woman.

American Grace and The Religion

How Religion Divides and Unites Us

Are you safe on Facebook?

Mark Zuckerberg's fan page was hacked, scams permeate the news feed, and fake profiles abound. What's Facebook doing about it?

The Future of the Global Muslim Population

The world's Muslim population is expected to increase by about 35% in the next 20 years, rising from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.2 billion by 2030, according to new population projections by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life. Globally, the Muslim population is forecast to grow at about twice the rate of the non-Muslim population over the next two decades.

Cairo in near-anarchy as protesters push to oust president

After a day of protests, President Hosni Mubarak appeared on state television and announced that he will dismiss his government but that he plans to remain in office.

Obama urges Egypt to heed protests, pursue reforms

Saying he had just spoken with President Hosni Mubarak, President Obama urged Egyptian authorities to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters and to grant greater freedoms for the Egyptian people. "People in Egypt have rights that are universal," Obama said.

Egypt's Crisis: Israel Backs Hosni Mubarak's Regime

With a deep investment in the status quo, Israel is watching what a senior official calls "an earthquake in the Middle East" with growing concern.

Obama's Reagan Bromance: Admiring the Gipper's Vision

When Obama stood before Congress, the Cabinet and the American people to deliver his second State of the Union address, both the Reagan persona and policies put in appearances.

The Future of the Global Muslim Population

The world's Muslim population is expected to increase by about 35% in the next 20 years, rising from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.2 billion by 2030, according to new population projections by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life. Globally, the Muslim population is forecast to grow at about twice the rate of the non-Muslim population over the next two decades.

BBC Video - Afghan parliament opens after five-month delay

Mr Karzai had wanted a further delay to allow September's disputed poll to be investigated but was overruled.

BBC Video - Afghan police pledge justice for Taliban stoning

The men who stoned a couple to death in north Afghanistan will be brought to justice, say officials, after footage of the killings comes to light.

Palin Responds To Obama's State Of The Union Speech: 'A Lot Of WTF Moments'

During an interview as surprising as a cold winter night in Alaska, Sarah Palin took issue with Barack Obama's State of the Union Address.

NYT Editor: WikiLeaks' Julian Assange is "Arrogant, Thin-Skinned, Conspiratorial"

Times Executive Editor Bill Keller admits in his introduction to the paper's upcoming e-book on WikiLeaks that the story about Assange and WikiLeaks itself has often been bigger in the media than the story about the content of what they were actually leaking.

Egyptians scorn ban on protests

Anti-government rioting in Egypt continued Wednesday, the second straight day of protests despite a newly introduced ban on public demonstrations and organized marches.

Somali militant group recruiting Canadian youth

Top Canadian security officials say they have intercepted or intervened in a number of cases involving Canadian youths set to join the Somalia-based militant organization al-Shabaab, but in spite of their efforts many others may have joined the group.

Tiger Mom: Amy Chua Parenting Memoir Raises American Fears

Cruel and abusive or simply tough love? That has been the continuing controversy surrounding author Amy Chua.

Egypt Youths Play New Role - Driving a Revolt

For decades, Egypt’s authoritarian president, Hosni Mubarak, played a clever game with his political opponents.

Afghan President Inaugurates New Parliament

President Hamid Karzai criticized the international community Wednesday for meddling in Afghanistan's elections as he reluctantly swore in a new parliament.

Books About the War on Terror

Two new books about the war on terror say that Osama bin Laden has achieved his goal—and we haven't.

WSJ: Pakistan is Not America's Enemy

A sustained U.S.-Pakistani partnership after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan could have produced a very different history than the one we wrestle with today.

Loughner researched lethal injection before Tucson shooting, sources say

In the weeks and days before the shooting rampage in Tucson, suspect Jared Lee Loughner surfed the Internet on his computer in what investigators believe was an effort to prepare for his alleged assassination attempt, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said.

Petraeus Skips Drawdown Talk in New Letter to Troops

Need another indication that July 2011 is going to come and go without substantial troop reductions? Take a look at Gen. David Petraeus’ brand new letter to his troops and civilians in Afghanistan about the state of the war.

At the State of the Union, a spirit of camaraderie, at least for a while

As bright lights illuminated the House chamber Tuesday for the annual rite of Washington officialdom, the trauma surgeon and the congressional intern who saved the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords 17 days earlier joined the first lady in the gallery.

Palestine papers reveal MI6 drew up plan for crackdown on Hamas

British intelligence helped draw up a secret plan for a wide-ranging crackdown on the Islamist movement Hamas which became a security blueprint for the Palestinian Authority, leaked documents reveal.

Q&A Interviews Christopher Hitchens

2011 Republican Response

2011 State of the Union Address

Obama Aces the State of the Union

The president delivers a boffo performance.

Obama: “We Will Move Forward Together or Not At All”#more-209152#more-209152#more-209152

Full text of the State of the Union Speech.

State of the Union 2011: A One-Click Guide

What Will President Obama Say to Congress in Today's Address, who will be there to listen to him and where will they sit?

Gitmo detainee sentenced to life for Africa bombings

A federal judge sentenced Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani to life without parole on Tuesday for his role in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, which left 224 people dead and thousands wounded.

State of the Union: Why the Middle East Won't Be the Focus

It's a safe bet that the Middle East will get short shrift in President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Obama to Propose Extending Partial Freeze on Domestic Spending

Even though his State of the Union speech will cite some economic progress, President Obama will propose to extend a partial freeze of domestic programs.

Supreme Court agrees to hear Emanuel residency case

Election officials say they stopped printing ballots without Emanuel's name.

Lebanon: Sunnis Protest Hizballah-Backed PM Najib Mikati

The violent protests that erupted around Lebanon on Tuesday saw a reversal of familiar roles, as Sunni supporters of ousted, U.S.-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri took to the streets to challenge Hizballah's move to take over the government.

Egypt Protests: Will Mass Demonstrations Shake Mubarak?

Thousands of protesters flooded Cairo's streets on Tuesday, shutting down major thoroughfares and clashing with tens of thousands of riot police, in an unprecedented condemnation of the authoritarian rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

The Myth of Homegrown Islamic Terrorism in the U.S.

There is a specter haunting the U.S. It is "one of the things that keeps me up at night," Attorney General Eric Holder said last month.

And the Nominees Are ... - 2011 Oscar Nominations: Who Will Win?

Is this the year of Natalie Portman? Will James Franco get to present himself an award at the ceremony? And which biopic subject will find favor with Academy voters, Mark Zuckerberg or King George VI? TIME surveys the 2011 Oscar nominations.

Airstrike in Logar Province Kills Taliban Leader

A coalition airstrike yesterday in the Pol-e Alam district of Afghanistan’s Logar province killed a Taliban logistics leader, military officials reported.

Endgame for Olbermann

An inevitable conclusion to a turbulent, influential run. Posted: Sat, Jan. 22 2011.

Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - Council on Foreign Relations

Video by Council on Foreign Relations

Backgrounder: Hezbollah

Council on Foreign Relations' analasys on Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu'llah)

Tunisia and the Future of Democracy Promotion in the Arab World

What Tunisia teaches us about Arab democracy.

Why I Destroyed An Afghan Village

The battalion commander debates the blogger (III): I acted after a great deal of deliberate planning, explains LTC Flynn.

NastyLeaks - Why the Palestine Papers Are Bas for Everyone

Far from a triumph for transparency, the Palestine Papers are a victory for the enemies of peace in the Middle East -- but only if Palestinian leaders embrace Al Jazeera's narrative.

Rahm Emanuel cannot run for Chicago mayor, Ill. appeals court rules

An Illinois appellate court ruled Monday that Rahm Emanuel cannot run for mayor of Chicago, a decision that shocked the city's political establishment and triggered a rapid appeal from the former White House chief of staff to the state Supreme Court.

Moscow airport blast: Suicide bomb kills 35

The suicide bombing Monday at Domodedovo Airport marked one of the most damaging attacks here in years, striking at a crucial link between Russia and the rest of the world.

Hezbollah-backed candidate in line to become Lebanon's new prime minister

The Shiite armed movement Hezbollah cobbled together enough support Monday to appoint Lebanon's next prime minister, effectively ending nearly six years of rule by Western-backed leaders and prompting the United States to warn it could cut off aid to this key Arab nation.

How the Airport Bombing Left Moscow at a Loss for Words - TIME

The scene was horrific, and after the subway bombings that shocked Moscow last March, it was also tragically familiar.

Chinese Model: Why China Does Capitalism Better than U.S.

Historian Francis Fukuyama, who once proclaimed that liberal democracy was the only game in town, now says the Chinese system of government may be more adaptive than that of the U.S.

Keith Olbermann Quits MSNBC’s Countdown

NBC exec said Sunday that the relationship between them and Olbermann has been “failing for a long time".

Palestinian Leaders, Peace Process Vulnerable After Leaks - TIME

An unspoken truth held to be self-evident by many in the Middle East is that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is dead.

Exclusive: America has ‘reached the point of no return,’ Reagan budget director warns | Raw Story

Ronald Reagan's budget director - David Stockman - pulls no punches in a must-read interview with Raw Story.

Keith Olbermann and MSNBC part ways

MSNBC announced Friday night that it and provocative liberal talk-show host Keith Olbermann "have ended their contract." Olbermann announced at the end of his "Countdown" that it would be his final appearance. No reason for the split was given by either party.

The Truth About the Tea Party

Matt Taibbi takes down the far-right monster and the corporate insiders who created it.

Palin is the Republican Obama

When you ask Barack Obama’s admirers what they like most about him, you will typically hear of his personality traits before any specifics about policy. When you ask Palin’s admirers what they like most about her, you will typically hear of her personality traits before any specifics about policy.

Marines Face Insurgent Bombs in Afghanistan’s Deadliest Spot

If the battlegrounds of Afghanistan are the “tip of the spear,” as Marines like to say, then the remote district of Sangin in Helmand Province may be its very point: the deadliest spot in the hardest-fought province for Marines leading the American offensive in Taliban territory.

It Just Got Worse in Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai's decision to postpone the inauguration of the new parliament deepens what was already a political crisis, argues Robert Dreyfuss.

Tactics vs. Strategy in Afghanistan

Over at abumuqawama and registan.net, Josh Foust and Andrew Exum have posted a rather interesting exchange that examines the tactical efforts of the US military in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan War: Afghanistan War: winter of our discontent

Analysis: Afghanistan is heading for tough times as political crisis deepens and fuel all but disappears.

Who Owns the Moon's Water?

Would-be moon miners will need good lawyers if they want to keep the lunar resources they’re harvesting, according to space policy experts.

The World's Happiest Countries

Most of the nations atop our list are democratic, business-friendly and boast strong social safety nets.

Khalid Sheik Mohammed killed U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl, report finds

A recently completed investigation of the killing of Daniel Pearl in Pakistan nine years ago makes public new evidence that a senior al-Qaeda operative executed the Wall Street Journal reporter.

Partisan rhetoric: McCain once more into the breach

Politics is hard in the US these days.

The Black Menthol Cigarette Market

Studies show that menthol cigarettes are disproportionately popular among African Americans, a group that also has a higher rate of smoking-related disease than the general population.

Hu's Visit: Can Timothy Geithner Prevent a U.S. China Trade War? - TIME

Timothy Geithner was sitting in his spacious Treasury Department office overlooking the White House earlier this month, mulling the U.S.'s sometimes testy relationship with China.

What's "Normal" Weather Is About to Officially Change

While you've been freezing your tail off for the past few weeks, the National Climatic Data Center has been gearing up to announce new definitions of "normal" weather conditions for 10,000 regions across the country.

Spain, Portugal And A Virtuous Circle Of Bailouts

Financial negotiating has never been so important for both governments.

Loughner's Mental Illness: Six Disturbing Warning Signs - TIME

The lessons of the Virginia Tech shooter are analogous to those of Tucson suspect Jared Loughner. But what exactly could have been done to prevent the latest tragedy?

Gates: China's military advances challenge US power

A United States military presence in the Pacific is essential to restrain Chinese assertiveness, Washington's defence chief said on Friday, describing China's technology advances as a challenge to US forces in the region.

Tunisia grapples with looting, deadly riots

Twenty touring Israelis get out safely; Jerusalem ‘carefully monitoring’ situation; Obama calls for ‘free and fair elections.’

FRONTLINE: Cheney's Law | PBS

Watch the full program online.

FRONTLINE: Obama's War

Watch the full program online.

Doctors replace Giffords' breathing tube

Doctors on Saturday removed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's breathing tube, replacing it with a tracheotomy tube and freeing her from the ventilator, and could soon know if she can speak.

Arizona Shootings Trigger Surge in Glock Sales Amid Fear of Ban

Greg Wolff, the owner of two Arizona gun shops, told his manager to get ready for a stampede of new customers after a Glock-wielding gunman killed six people at a Tucson shopping center on Jan. 8.

Giffords’s Progress Called ‘Major Leap Forward’

Representative Gabrielle Giffords is able to keep her eyes open for up to 15 minutes at a time and can move her legs and hands, doctors said on Thursday.

Obama and Palin, a Tale of Two Speeches

Sarah Palin's video statement and President Obama's address could not have been more different.

Nike’s Love/Hate Relationship With China

Rising commodity costs present a challenge, but can be offset by the expansion potential.

2011: India’s Year

Eyes will remain on China as 2011 begins, not just because of Hu Jintao's looming state.

Man Sentenced for Role in Supporting Terrorist Plot to Attack JFK Airport

Abdel Nur, a citizen of Guyana, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for providing material support to the conspiracy to attack John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York

The Next Debt Domino To Fall: Portugal, Italy Or The U.S.?

Italy, Portugal, and Belgium are all possibilities.

The Eurozone Needs A Texas

The huge population shift to the Lone Star State has ensured the dollar's credibility. Eurozone, take note.

Matt Wilstein: The Top 10 Biggest Sarah Palin FAILS (VIDEO)

Below are five of her biggest FAILS over the past couple of years. There are literally hundreds more, so please share your own in the comments below.

Bob Cesca: Sarah Palin Fumbles and Flails Into an Otherwise Solemn Day

Sarah Palin could have used her time to be a leader -- to take the high road and talk about the heroes and the victims of this terrorist attack.

StumbleBlogs: Assange: We're stepping up release of leaked docs

WikiLeaks will step up its publication schedule of secret documents, founder Julian Assange announced Tuesday, promising more revelations based on the group's stash of confidential U.S. embassy cables and other leaks.

Palin's Video: What Is "Blood Libel"? - TIME

Palin probably did not know what she was talking about when she spoke of "Blood Libel" in her Jan. 12 video statement.

Afghanistan Attacks Kill 5 NATO Troops

Roadside bombs and an insurgent attack claimed the lives of five coalition troops Wednesday, NATO said, while the Taliban took aim at the Afghan intelligence services, killing four people and wounding more than 30 in a pair of attacks, officials said.

Don’t Blame Sarah Palin, Just Stop Paying Attention!

Sarah Palin embarrasses herself almost immediately upon opening her mouth to speak or upon moving her fingers to send messages to her dull flock.

Glock Pistol Sales Surge in Aftermath of Shooting of Arizona's Giffords

Greg Wolff, the owner of two Arizona gun shops, told his manager to get ready for a stampede of new customers after a Glock-wielding gunman killed six people at a Tucson shopping center on Jan. 8.

Americans get it: It's just a horrible coincidence

There's still no evidence that the political culture had anything to do with Jared Loughner's rampage.

Terrorist watch list: One tip now enough to put name in database, officials say

US officials say they have made it easier to add individuals' names to a terrorist watch list and improved the government's ability to thwart an attack in the United States.

Rush Limbaugh says a dozen incredibly offensive things

Rush Limbaugh said many awful, offensive things today, because he was defending himself from people who say that hateful, ugly rhetoric leads to violence.

Sarah Palin brands media's attacks over Arizona shooting as 'blood libel'

Politician breaks silence on Giffords shooting and lambasts opponents with controversial choice of language.

Sarah Palin points finger at journalists over Ariz. shootings with anti-semitic reference

After nearly a week of silence and waves of bad press, Sarah Palin finally speaks. To Facebook.

The Tragedy Of Portugal

Portugal is no sinner, but it may be forced to accept a bailout nonetheless.

More American journalists back away from WikiLeaks and Assange

More American journalists back away from WikiLeaks and Assange.

The Most Annoying Business Jargon

Linguistic gobbledygook has taken over America's conference rooms. Put a stop to the nonsense.

Jared Loughner's family issues statement: 'We wish we could change the heinous events'

The family of Tucson mass shooting suspect Jared Loughner handed out a written statement to reporters in front of their home late Tuesday afternoon, their first public comment on the case. It expresses sorrow for "the heinous events" on Saturday.

A closer look at reports about the growth of Islam in the UK

The conservative media have worked themselves into a lather over a rise in Muslims, but don't take the figures at face value.

Jared Loughner Appears in Court; Gabrielle Giffords Gives ‘Thumbs-Up‘ to Doctors

Tucson gunman Jared Loughner appeared in court for the first time on Monday. He'll be represented by public defender Judy Clarke.

Doctor: Giffords Responds, Gave Thumbs Up

Doctors said Monday that Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' had given a thumbs up sign and tried to grab her breathing tube — heartening developments two days after surgery for a gunshot wound to the head.

Taseer Murder Reveals Depth of Pakistan's Drift to Extremism

A week after the murder of one of its most prominent officials, Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, the government of Pakistan has staved off its collapse — but at a considerable political cost.

Tea party in the Sonora: For the future of G.O.P. governance, look to Arizona

In 1897, when the Territory of Arizona was seeking to demonstrate its fitness for statehood, the legislature solicited bids to design a new capitol building and grounds in Phoenix.

Arizona Rampage Suspect Loughner May Seek Unabomber Lawyer

A 22-year-old man described as a social outcast with wild beliefs steeped in mistrust faces a federal court hearing on charges he tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed others in a Tucson shooting rampage.

After Tucson: Why Are the Mentally Ill Still Bearing Arms? - TIME

When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the handgun ban in the nation's capital in 2008, Representative Gabrielle Giffords applauded the ruling, calling gun ownership "an Arizona tradition."

Interesting Times: It Doesn’t Matter Why He Did It

Judging from his Internet postings, Jared Lee Loughner is a delusional young man whose inner political landscape is a swamp of dystopian novels, left- and right-wing tracts, conspiracy theories, and contempt for his fellow human beings.

Dick Winters, of 'Band of Brothers' fame, dies

Dick Winters, the former World War II commander whose war story was told in the book and miniseries “Band of Brothers,” has died.

Giffords shooting: Suspect Jared Loughner charged

US authorities have charged a 22-year-old man over Saturday's Arizona shooting in which a congresswoman was seriously wounded and six people died.

U.S. orders Twitter to hand over WikiLeaks records

A U.S. court has ordered Twitter to hand over details of the accounts of WikiLeaks and several supporters as part of a criminal investigation into the release of hundreds of thousands of confidential documents.

Is Violent Rhetoric Behind the Attack on Giffords? - TIME

Comments like Palins message "Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!" might not do that much good."

Authorities: Loughner Had 'Rambling Beliefs'

In Loughner's middle-class neighborhood — about a five-minute drive from the scene — sheriff's deputies had much of the street blocked off as curious neighbors asked what was going on.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Compares Job Losses Under Presidents Obama and Bush

Arizona Cartoonist Talks Giffords Shooting

David Fitzsimmons, the cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star, showed up at the parking lot after the shooting and appeared on CNN to speak about Congresswoman Giffords and the “heated anger and rage” that he thinks contributed to this incident.

Hospital: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords expected to recover

The surgeon who operated on Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said he is "optimistic" about her recovery. Pima County sheriff says six people were killed in the Tucson shooting that wounded Giffords.

Is Violent Rhetoric Behind the Attack on Giffords?

Last March, at the height of the health care reform battle, Giffords' office was vandalized. She mentioned in an MSNBC interview that a Sarah Palin mailer had depicted her district in the crosshair of a gun sight.

Jared Loughner alleged to be shooter, sources say

Gunman held in the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona and others has been identified as Jared Laughner, law enforcement officials said. Loughner, 22, is a veteran.

Royal Family granted new right of secrecy - Home News, UK - The Independent

The Royal Family is to be granted absolute protection from public scrutiny in a controversial legal reform designed to draw a veil of secrecy over the affairs of the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.

Study Confirms That Fox News Makes You Stupid

A survey of American voters made in December 2010 shows that Fox News viewers are significantly more misinformed than consumers of news from other sources.

GOP's Jesse Kelly held shooting campaign against Giffods

Giffords' opponent in the recent election, Jesse Kelly, held a campaign event in June where participants were invited to shoot an automatic weapon with the candidate, which was advertised as a chance to "get on target for victory in November help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office".

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords among 12 shot at Tucson grocery - CNN.com

At least 12 people were shot at a Tucson grocery store on Saturday, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among them, a Democratic party source told CNN.

Food Prices Hit Record High. What Now?

Crop failures, or at least major crop disappointments, in Russia, the U.S., Ukraine and Kazahkstan all contributed heavily to driving up grain prices.

Death at the chateau: When the expat dream turned sour | World news

Joanne and Robert Hall dreamed of a better life in France, and of building a luxury golf resort in the Brittany countryside. But 10 years later her burned body was found encased in concrete and he was charged with murder. So what went wrong? Jon Ronson investigates

WikiLeaks cables: US special forces working inside Pakistan

US embassy cables reveal elite American troops secretly embedded with Pakistan military to hunt down militants

The Man Who Spilled the Secrets

Vanity Fair | The collaboration between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the Web’s notorious information anarchist, and some of the world’s most respected news organizations began at The Guardian, a nearly 200-year-old British paper.

Back to the 70's? Soon The Economic Deluge

Runaway government spending, a ballooning money supply and the specter of inflation--the similarities between now and the early Nixon era are many.

Firefox overtakes Internet Explorer in Europe in browser wars

Chrome keeps coming

IMDb | Road to the Globes 2011

Who get's the Golden Globes in 2011?

StumbleUpon Surpasses Facebook For Social Media Traffic Generation

How can a site with 12 million users send more traffic than a site with 600 million users? When your site is specifically designed to do nothing but send traffic.

Pentagon Seeks Biggest Military Cuts Since Before 9/11

The White House ordered the Pentagon to squeeze almost all growth from its spending over the next five years, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

The Cult of the Constitution

After much hullabaloo, the 112th Congress kicked off its second day as promised: by reading the Constitution aloud on the House floor for the first time ever, per a chamber historian.

Boehner's Large Gavel: Why Is New Speaker's Gavel So Big?

As outgoing Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi officially handed over her job to John Boehner on Wednesday.

Cricket: England's Win over Australia Creates History - TIME

In a winter in which snow came unreasonably early, snarling roads, closing airports, in which the recovery from the worst recession since the 1930s was fitful and slow, the English could take solace in one thing: Australia had it worse.

Muslim Students Deny Israeli Embassador To Speak

Muslim Students Deny Israeli Embassador To Speak

Firefox dethrones Internet Explorer as Europe's most popular web browser

Google Chrome in third with 14.6 per cent market share.

What It Will Take to Finish the Job in Afghanistan

Zhari district is in the heart of the Taliban homeland, an area so dangerous that the district governor's office, where we were meeting, is located within the local U.S. military base, Forward Operating Base Wilson.

The Afghan Diaries: The Long Blooding of the 1-22 Infantry

The Afghan Diaries: The Long Blooding of the 1-22 Infantry.

Wildlife: Blackbirds down

The three thousand blackbirds that fell from the sky in the American state of Arkansas on New Year's Eve are in good company.

In House, new Republican majority plans to act fast to undo Obama's agenda

Almost as soon as they take control of the House at noon Wednesday, Republicans will embark on a 20-day plan aimed at undoing major aspects of President Obama's agenda as they seek to take advantage of the weeks before the Senate's return and the president's State of the Union address.

Does Conservatism Need Fox News?

A lot of folks think conservative Big Media are too powerful and define the debate too much. Okay. I don’t think this is an unreasonable position on its face. But whenever I hear it, I always have to ask “compared to what?”

A Volley Between Fox News and Obama Administration

Attacking the news media is a time-honored White House tactic but to an unusual degree, the Obama administration has narrowed its sights to one specific organization, the Fox News Channel, calling it, in essence, part of the political opposition.

Killing of Governor Salman Taseer Deepens Crisis in Pakistan

The assassination of a politician by one of his guards highlighted the threat of militant infiltration.

A Look at How the House Was Won

Republicans embraced a business model in their efforts to win the House.

Son of Iranian Ex-Shah Is Found Dead

Another blow to the future of Iran.

Let the Distortions Begin

A sneak preview of what to expect as 2012 comes into focus.

Iraq Veteran Embeds with Former Unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan

A million questions sprang to my mind: How would the soldiers and noncommissioned officers learn to operate in Afghanistan after so many years in Iraq?

Kandahar Air Base Expands, Adds Cafes, Sports Fields - TIME

"Feels like I'm back in Jersey," says a young man, taking in the scene. "Right back home on the Jersey shore."

Iraq War Coalition Fatalities

The Iraq War Coalition Fatalities Project is an interactive animated chart of US and coalition military fatalities that have occured in the war in Iraq since the onset, mapped across the dimensions of time and space.

A Real December Review for Afghanistan

The Department of Defense's December review of Afghan strategy glossed over real challenges to the US involvement in the country's political and economic development.

Dick Cheney's $250-Million 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card

What's the going rate for getting a former vice president off the hook in a major criminal case that involves charges of government corruption and raises concerns about violent wrongdoing and even murder?

Health Care Spending in the World

The US is in a league of it's own

Who is Behind Wikileaks?

The Role of the Corporate Media: The Central Role of the New York Times

Life without Islam means road to hell?

German Islamists predicted hellish torment for the German Chancellor if she does not accept Islam. Is Angela Merkel threatened only by Muslim hell or is she a candidate to hell from a Christian perspective as well?

France may lose its glorious Foreign Legion

France could lose its Foreign Legion. This was stated by the commander of its 13th demi-brigade, Colonel Cyril Yushchenko, while he was giving instructions for the withdrawal of his unit from Africa (Djibouti).

StumbleUpon Passes Facebook As Top Source Of Social Media Traffic

Web discovery service StumbleUpon has just overtaken Facebook as the No. 1 source for social media traffic in the U.S.

Financial Outlooks For Liverpool And Manchester United Take Ironic Twists

A year from now Manchester United will be more profitable than Liverpool.

France Sends 100,000 Warnings To Illegal Downloaders

Three-strikes law goes into force - but will it make a difference?

WikiLeaks' Stepchildren

As leak enthusiasts go, few resemble WikiLeaks' would-be messianic founder Julian Assange less than Daniel Domscheit-Berg.

Our Favorite Headlines of 2010

From disasters to honey traps, from WikiLeaks to Hezbollah hotties, FP's covered it all, our way.

Targeting Terrorists

Washington is embroiled in a manic swing of opinion about the efficacy of covert action, including targeted assassinations. Richard A. Clarke on the delicate balance between the rule of law and running an effective intelligence agency.

The ISI and Terrorism: Behind the Accusations

In autumn 2006, a leaked report by a British Defense Ministry think tank charged, "Indirectly Pakistan (through Pakistan's military intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, ISI) has been supporting terrorism and extremism-whether in London on 7/7, or in Afghanistan, or Iraq."

WikiLeaks and Challenges to Internet Freedom

WikiLeaks' publication of sensitive U.S. government files has focused new attention on Internet governance and raised questions about controlling information in cyberspace.

How WikiLeaks Affects Journalism

An interview with C. W. Anderson, Knight Media Policy Fellow, New America Foundation.

Is Anarchist Violence on the Rise in Europe? - TIME

No one was hurt when a powerful bomb tied to a stolen moped blew up Thursday morning outside a court building near central Athens.

Is Anarchist Violence on the Rise in Europe?

No one was hurt when a powerful bomb tied to a stolen moped blew up Thursday morning outside a court building near central Athens.

A Brief History of Anarchism: The European Tradition

A recent spate of letter bombs dispatched to foreign embassies in Rome, as well as the headquarters of a far-right Italian political party, focused attention upon a rogue group of anarchists that claimed responsibility for the attacks.

50 Moments of 2010: A Week by Week News Chronicle

A week by week look at the people, stories and images that defined the past year.