- In surprise move, GOP leaders admit defeat in payroll tax battle
- More than 30,000 Germans turn out against anti-piracy treaty ACTA
- Does Obama blueprint reduce budget deficit fast enough? (+video)
- Pentagon budget: Does it pit active-duty forces against retirees? (+video)
- Deadlock on Syria: Likely crimes against humanity, but no plan of action
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin speaks at the Monitor Breakfast, Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the St. Regis Hotel. (Michael Bonfigli/The Christian Science Monitor)
Carl Levin calls Romney's defense budget criticism "just a political statement"
The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and senior Senator from Michigan said even with reduced funding, US military has "shown our capabilities, shown our adeptness."
Top Washington newsmakers and journalists gather weekly for in-depth conversation. Across four decades, guests have included US presidents, congressional leaders, cabinet officers, and CEOs.
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Cities brace for bad news in Obama's next federal budget, top mayor says (+video)
The Obama administration is preparing its 2013 federal budget proposal and is letting some allies know how spending cuts will affect them. For Antonio Villaraigosa, president of the US Conference of Mayors, the news has not been good.
Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg: 'Republican Party is in trouble'
Though the GOP has notched recent electoral success, "there are no more people calling themselves Republican," says longtime Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg.
Joe Lieberman: "I don't think Congress has ever been as bad as it is today."
Why is public approval of Congress so low? In Sen. Joe Lieberman's opinion, it's because Congress has never been so dysfunctional.
Washington's relationship with Ankara amid a "Turkish-American spring"
Turkey's Ambassador to the US Namik Tan said the US relationship with Turkey was in "excellent" condition amid upheaval in Iran, Syria and the wider Middle East at a breakfast sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor.
Politicians, be careful talking about shared sacrifice, pollster says (VIDEO)
Voters get nervous when candidates talk about sacrifice, says Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg. But at the same time, he says, voters tend to support changes that would shore up Social Security.
A third-party candidate in 2012? It's going to happen, pollster says. (VIDEO)
Stanley Greenberg, a major Democratic pollster, says unhappy and undecided voters make a third-party presidential candidate likely in 2012, introducing uncertainty into the battle to control Congress.
Joe Lieberman contradicts Sarah Palin: Where's evidence of insider trading? (VIDEO)
In a USA Today op-ed Tuesday, Sarah Palin charged that Congress is guilty of insider trading. Sen. Joseph Lieberman told reporters at a Monitor breakfast he's seen no evidence.
Palestinians 'an invented' people? Lieberman rejects Gingrich view (video)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the first Jew on a major party’s national ticket, said Tuesday he disagrees with Newt Gingrich’s assertion that the Palestinians are 'an invented' people.
GOP 'super PAC' leader: On fundraising, 'neither side is going to unilaterally disarm'
Both major political parties are raising 'incredible' amounts of money in the 2012 cycle, said former Sen. Norm Coleman, chairman of a GOP super PAC called the Congressional Leadership Fund.
Turkey: Materials likely destined for Iran nuclear program seized (video)
Turkey is determined to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, Namik Tan, Turkey's ambassador to the US, said Thursday. It intercepted materials Iran might have used to advance its nuclear program, he says.
'Fast and Furious' chief investigator: not ready to call for Eric Holder resignation (VIDEO)
Rep. Darrell Issa, who is investigating the 'Fast and Furious' gun-walking operation, says the problems of the failed operation go beyond just one person.
Republican's warning to candidates: Profiling Muslims is 'far-fetched' (VIDEO)
Rep. Darrell Issa said Friday some GOP presidential candidates' idea of profiling Muslims to combat terrorism is comparable to the phenomenon called 'driving while black.'
Be careful how you talk about illegal immigration, GOP official says (VIDEO)
Illegal immigration is a key issue facing 2012 GOP presidential hopefuls. Former Senator Norm Coleman told reporters Tuesday that debating the issue is a good thing, but the tone of the debate is hurting Republican candidates.
GOP's 2012 prediction: We'll lose some House seats, but not many (VIDEO)
The leaders of a new super PAC agree with a 2012 prediction by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report that Democrats will pick up five to 10 House seats.
Husain Haqqani: US, Pakistan "understand how much they need each other"
Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, discussed the tensions between Pakistan and America along with the reasons why ties between the nations must persist at a Monitor breakfast.
How does envoy deflect Pakistani anger at US? One tweet at a time. (video)
Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador the United States, says he uses Twitter to reach out to people who are hostile to him because of his role trying to improve Pakistan's ties with the US.
Why can't Pakistan clear its terrorist safe havens? Envoy explains. (video)
The US and Pakistan are stuck in an unsatisfactory arrangement where neither side gets what it wants, the envoy says: no Pakistani crackdown on North Waziristan, and ongoing US drone strikes.
Pollsters: "Walmart moms" feel disconnected, frustrated with Washington
Public Opinion Strategies pollster Neil Newhouse and Momentum Analysis president Margie Omero found so-called Walmart moms smarting from pain in the pocketbook - and frustrated by a lack of discernible help from Congress and President Obama.
Israeli Ambassador Oren: US, Israel have "tactical" differences in pursuit of peace
Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States, discussed how the recent prisoner swap for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit strengthened Israeli society among other topics at a breakfast for reporters sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor.
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