Topic: Washington, DC

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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.
Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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.
Briefing
Chechnya: How a remote Russian republic became linked with terrorism

The main suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, a Russian republic that has been the scene of cyclical revolts and brutal crackdowns for the past 200 years.
4 ways US can boost cyber security

The US needs a proactive cyber foreign policy that goes beyond naming and shaming. Here are four steps the US can take to bolster its diplomatic efforts to address cybersecurity threats.

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Financial crisis threatens climate-change momentum

Experts fear the credit crunch will discourage governments worldwide from turning to taxpayers for assistance in climate-change efforts.
China aims to end pessimism with $586 billion economic stimulus package

The money may not jump-start enough domestic spending, but signals to world leaders that China is engaged in resolving the global financial crisis.
Bush, other leaders to promote interfaith dialogue at UN

The gathering follows a successful Muslim-Catholic forum at the Vatican.
Supreme Court lifts limits on Navy sonar near whales

The justices said restrictions off the coast of southern California jeopardized national security.
Report confirms 'shadow war' waged by US special forces

A 2004 classified order authorized the military to attack Al Qaeda operatives around the globe. As many as a dozen raids occurred under this mandate.
In Latin America, leftist leaders evict US drug warriors

Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela push back on US operations.
Obama’s emerging foreign policy team faces a troubled world

The goal is continuity in international relationships with a clear break from Bush’s approach.
Freedom Rising: Washington in the Civil War
Cheney on the move, in a lower-profile mode
Obama already holds bully pulpit

He’s moving fast to build his governing team, but wants to avoid endorsing the policies of President Bush, whom he visits Monday.
The Partnership

The history of Goldman Sachs and its rise from Manhattan basement to ‘global juggernaut.’
Will Obama change course in the Middle East?

Some Arabs see him as more of an 'honest broker' in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. But that conflict may not be a priority.
For Obama, the economy can't wait

His top priorities are stimulus proposals, the 'G-20' summit, and picking a Treasury chief.
Opinion: Europe, not the US, can get Russia to behave

Europe must take advantage of its special pull on Russians.
Opinion: A smarter North Korea policy

It will take a combination of diplomacy and blunt threats.
Russia warns US of potential new arms race

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he might deploy missiles to 'neutralize' a planned US-backed missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
An economic lift after the vote?

Relief that the election is over could put some consumers in more of a spending mood.
Obama's promises face a rough road ahead

A government mired in debt combined with a recession will make the path to recovery difficult for the president-elect.
Breakfast at Sally's

A man once wealthy learns to live among the homeless.
Obama’s new political era

Democratic control of Washington brings unity but also new demands.
In Congress, a party sweep for Democrats

But they fall short of the 60 Senate seats needed to overcome filibusters and end gridlock.
Obama victory signals new push for unity

Americans elect their first black president and deal a blow to an era of Republican ascendancy.
President-Elect Barack Obama's acceptance speech
Mideast peace: one more push

Condoleezza Rice heads to the area for a summit of powers promoting peace.
Denied US asylum, an Eritrean prison guard appeals to high court

He says he was forced to stand guard as others were tortured and killed.