Topic: Political Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Test your Gangnam style?
Pop music sensation Psy has taught his signature horsey dance to everyone from the UN’s Ban Ki-moon to Britney Spears. But how much do you know about the artist?
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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes
Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
How the tables have turned: The Internal Revenue Service is the one under the microscope now, as revelations emerged Friday that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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3 priorities for Pakistan's new government
After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan
President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
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On healthcare reform, House lawmakers get past the abortion hurdle
To pass a healthcare reform bill, addressing abortion is necessary in order to get the support of conservative Democrats. Lobbyists for Catholic bishops were part of the negotiation.
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Efforts to stem global warming moving at a glacial pace
US lawmakers working on legislation and diplomats everywhere doubt there’ll be any major breakthrough at next month’s meeting in Copenhagen.
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H1N1 vaccine: Should inmates move up in line?
States are providing the H1N1 vaccine to high-risk groups, and in some cases that includes parts of the prison populations.
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Agreement on climate change looks unlikely ahead of Copenhagen
A European Union agreement last week was short on specifics. US commitments on reductions may not be forthcoming, making Chinese commitments also unlikely.
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Palestinian President Abbas, critical of peace process, says won't seek reelection
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says he won't run for reelection, complaining of Israel settlement growth, insufficient US support, and domestic criticism.
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IAEA report: Iran tested advanced nuclear warhead design
Portions of an IAEA report that were previously unpublished show evidence that Iran may have experimented with a more advanced nuclear warhead than thought. The news comes as talks with the West have largely stalled.
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At Brandeis, Goldstone defends UN war crimes report
Justice Richard Goldstone, at a Brandeis University forum, defended the UN report on war crimes committed by Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war. It was the first time he has publicly discussed the report with a high-level Israeli official.
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Healthcare reform: Obama cut private deals with likely foes
President Obama struck agreements with insurers, doctors, drug companies, and hospitals to keep them from turning against healthcare reform. What are they?
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Goldstone report: UN votes for probe into Gaza war crimes
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution Thursday calling for a probe into alleged war crimes by Israel and Hamas in last winter's fighting in Gaza. The resolution is based on the UN Human Rights Council's Goldstone report.
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Nidal Malik Hasan case: Are Army psychiatrists overwhelmed?
The shootings at Fort Hood Thursday point to a military mental-health system stretched to the breaking point. The suspect is an Army psychiatrist, Nidal Malik Hasan.
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Extreme Makeover Home Edition? UN gets a 21st-century update.
The UN headquarters in New York are being renovated from top to bottom to make the facilities more energy-efficient. Calling Ty Pennington of television's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'
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Highest unemployment rate in 26 years: Obama’s jobs challenge
The unemployment rate hit 10.2 percent in October. The news underscored that job creation is the big political imperative for Obama and Congress as 2010 elections loom on the horizon.
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Earth Talk - the future of rain forests
Tropical deforestation rates this decade are higher than during the 1990s, resulting in 135 plant, animal, and insect species being lost every day.
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After high-level trip to Burma (Myanmar), US seeks to lower expectations
Burma (Myanmar) should take steps toward reform such as allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to enter 2010 elections, says US diplomat after a rare visit.
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The EU's next step after the Lisbon treaty: Choose a president
The European Union is tossing around names for who could be the 'George Washington of Europe,' with Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy a top name. The EU is expected to decide by mid-November.
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UN to withdraw 600 staff from Afghanistan after Kabul attack
After attacks in Afghanistan that killed five UN workers last week, the international body announced it is pulling out 600 of its foreign workers while it builds a fortified complex.
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UN Afghanistan drawdown, fraud charges leave tough task for Karzai
The UN said it will withdraw 600 of its 1,100 foreign staffers from Afghanistan as President Hamid Karzai promises economic development after scandal-marred election.
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Israel says weapons shipment a war crime, Iran and Syria cry foul
Israel's Netanyahu said Thursday a large arms shipment seized this week was sent by Iran to Syria and Hezbollah, and charged this was a 'war crime.'
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Is the House healthcare reform bill unconstitutional?
Lawyers linked to the Tea Party movement say healthcare reform is unconstitutional and vow to challenge any bill in federal court. The issue: Has Congress overstepped its constitutional authority?
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Beyond 'just say no,' GOP lawmakers launch their healthcare plan
The Republican healthcare reform plan revealed Thursday would cover far fewer uninsured Americans than the Democratic House bill. But it would also cost considerably less.
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Mohamed ElBaradei looks to US to fix nuclear system 'in tatters'
As head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei says the world has not done well in preventing nuclear proliferation. But ElBaradei has high hopes for the Obama administration.
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Mullen: Obama has time to make decision on Afghanistan troops
Obama has been criticized for 'dithering' on whether to send more US troops to Afghanistan. But Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says he's OK with the time frame.
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The Monitor's View: Obama's hard choice after Iran's latest protests
With nuclear talks faltering, the US may be better off openly siding with the regime's democratic opponents.
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Do college presidents need a pay czar?
While the top 25 best compensated, bailout-taking CEOs saw their salaries dip, the top 25 highest paid college presidents saw largely smooth increases. Does higher ed need a pay czar?
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50 million footprints play havoc with the grass on the Washington Mall
The grass that covers the Washington Mall, the most visited national park in the United States, is in bad shape. The footprints of 25 million visitors are part of the reason why.
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