Topic: Politics

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Barack Obama: How well do you know America's 44th president?

Test your knowledge of the man currently in the Oval Office with this quiz on notable events – both large and small – from the Obama presidency.
Election 101: What's the Republican primary calendar for 2012?

Here are the ins and outs of the road to winning the Republican Party presidential nomination.
Bestselling books the week of 10/20/11, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
In Pictures: Gilad Shalit released
Gilad Shalit deal: Which Palestinian prisoners will walk free?

Nearly 500 Palestinians are scheduled to be released by Israel Tuesday in an exchange for soldier Gilad Shalit. Here’s the status of seven well-known prisoners (See the whole list here):

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Liberia election: Voting went smoothly, but how about the results?

Foreign observer missions are praising Liberia's first domestically organized national elections since the end of civil war in 2003, but experts warn that a likely runoff election could still trigger violence.
Volcker rule gets SEC backing

Volcker rule: The proposed ban on banks trading for their own profit got support from the SEC. The Volcker rule is part of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation overhaul.
Why political activism isn't working in Afghanistan

Despite the billions of dollars of international money spent to develop a democratic culture in Afghanistan, few understand what one politician is trying to accomplish by her hunger strike.
In Pictures: Iran's anti-Americanism
Tax VOX
The tragedy of Solyndra

The firm got $537 million from the Obama administration to further goals of energy independence, a cleaner environment, and domestic jobs. What went wrong?
Latin America Monitor
Foiled Iran assassination plot underlines US-Mexico cooperation

In some ways, attempting to employ Latin American criminals to carry out a terrorist act is the worst case scenario, but this case also shows how US-Mexico cooperation can stymie such actions.
The mouse that roared: How tiny Slovakia could prolong Europe's massive debt crisis

Slovakia's vote against expanding the European bailout fund presents an unwelcome obstacle to solving Europe's debt crisis. It also caused the fall of the tiny country's government.
Gilad Shalit prisoner swap: Why Netanyahu agreed to 1,000 Palestinians for one Israeli

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was opposed in principle to the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap. But his willingness to make an unsavory deal in the end highlights his pragmatism.
Occupy Wall Street: Can it ever match tea party clout?

Economic conditions have seemed ripe for a popular uprising from the left, and now 'Occupy Wall Street' protests are marshaling those forces. But so far the tea party has greater focus and intensity.
What China wants from Putin

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin left China Wednesday at the end of a two day visit lauding Chinese-Russian ties.
In Pictures: Best signs of Occupy Wall Street protests
Global News Blog
Good Reads: an Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador, and smooth Liberian elections

Today's papers focus on the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, but watch also some positive news from Africa, where Liberian elections appear to be free of violence.
What's Iran up to in Latin America? Alleged assassination plot deepens concerns.

Iran's ties to Latin American leaders have been growing in recent years, but the alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to the US is drawing attention to its less savory activities.
Iran casts assassination plot as US attempt to distract from 'Occupy Wall Street'

A day after the US publicly accused Iran of an assassination plot, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei countered with a different narrative.
Congress finally gets it: Free trade is good for America

Despite negative public opinion about open trade, Congress is poised to approve delayed free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. The deals will help the US economy by increasing exports and supporting and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Was New Zealand prepared for its worst oil spill?

New Zealand's delayed response to its oil spill emergency, described as the worst in the country's history, has been compared with last year’s Deepwater Horizon catastrophe.
GOP presidential debate fallout: Is Mitt Romney becoming inevitable?

At Tuesday's GOP presidential debate, Mitt Romney fielded questions deftly, attacked when given an opening, and stayed out of jab-fests. Contenders so far haven't knocked him off stride.
China to US on currency bill: I wouldn't do that if I were you

The US Senate passed a currency bill that would punish countries that subsidize their exports by maintaining an artificially low exchange rate. China called such a law a 'lose-lose' for both sides.
Terrorism & Security
Iranian plot: International media dig for an explanation

A day after the US said it foiled an Iranian plot against the Saudi ambassador to the US, international media were still casting around for a logical explanation of the alleged plot.
Senate slap of China a sign that patience is wearing thin on trade

With jobs at a premium in the US, senators from states hard-hit by job losses to Chinese manufacturing passed a bill to sanction China for manipulating its currency.
'World War Z' prop guns confiscated, able to fire live ammunition

Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' movie had nearly 100 guns confiscated by police, Tuesday. The prop guns were found to be real, and easily able to fire live rounds.
President Obama jobs bill fails to pass Senate

President Obama and others expected Republicans to vote against the jobs bill but Obama says, 'we can't take 'no' for an answer.'
The Vote
GOP presidential debate: Has Herman Cain trumped Rick Perry?

The GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire Tuesday was all about the 9-9-9 plan by Herman Cain. For Rick Perry, who needs to turn his campaign around, that was bad news.
The Reformed Broker
Bonds say 60 percent chance of recession

The bond market is telling us that a recession is looming
'Phoenix Jones' is unmasked, but not alone: Five other real-life superheroes

Phoenix Jones is not alone. Here are five other costumed vigilantes who prowl the streets in the name of fighting what they perceive as crime.