Topic: Washington, DC
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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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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.
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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.
All Content
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Can Iraq go it alone?
The dramatic drop in violence over the past year is due in part to US-led efforts. But the insurgency could linger.
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Bipartisanship, finally ... on a community-service bill
The legislation will increase spending on federal community-service programs by 25 percent.
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Obama's $100 million budget cut amounts to a cup of coffee
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Stimulus money puts teachers in layoff limbo
Funds trickle out, leaving many state and local education budgets in flux.
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Buried by credit-card fees? Washington is on it.
Obama is to meet this week with banks about card-holder complaints. Congress is weighing a 'bill of rights' for borrowers.
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Geithner talks tough against Wall Street
Appearing before the Congressional Oversight Panel, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner faced populist anger over bailout terms.
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Is waterboarding effective? CIA did it 266 times on two prisoners
The number, much higher than previously reported, comes out as President Obama visits CIA headquarters today.
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Why did an Antarctic cruise ship sink?
Big ice chunks, misjudgment, and faulty doors doomed the MS Explorer. New limits are set on tourists and cruise ships to the region.
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Humble Obama unites Latin leaders
His cooperative tone helped some leaders begin to move beyond historical grudges against the US.
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Congress returns to immense agenda
Lawmakers face issues ranging from a huge deficit and bank regulations to healthcare reform and climate change.
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Can Iraq go it alone?
The dramatic drop in violenc over the past year is due in part to US-led efforts. But the insurgency could linger.
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Why the US will boycott global racism conference
A meeting to judge progress on racism is likely to be captive to Israeli-Palestinian and Islamic defamation issues.
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Chummy Obama, Chávez mark 'spirit of cooperation' at summit
Despite worries that the agenda would be hijacked by a debate about America's Cuba policy, the Summit of the Americas finished with a feeling of goodwill.
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US no longer towers over Latin America
As America became distracted by the war on terror after 9/11, the region sought other partners.
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Arguing the size of the "tea party" protest
In any case, experts see it as democracy in action, and that's a good thing.
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Have banks turned a corner?
The improved earnings reports of recent days are welcome news, but a rising tide of loan losses still threaten the industry.
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US reaches out to Latin America – with help from Spain
Ahead of the Summit of the Americas, Spain has been quietly bolstering a common transatlantic agenda.
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Obama heads to summit touting 'broader partnership'
Summit of the Americas gathers the 34 democratically governed countries of the Western Hemisphere. But communist Cuba threatens to steal some of the spotlight.
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Opinion: The dictator in Iraqi hearts must be toppled
Real change requires shifts at the individual level nudged by programs that focus on respect and accomodation.
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The Monitor's View: Obama's too cool on gun restrictions
While in Mexico, he reasoned it wouldn't be 'easy' to push an assault-weapons ban through Congress. That shouldn't stop him.
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A meteor helps reveal West Africa's troubling drought history
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Review: 'State of Play'
A hard-driving journalist hits up against Washington's power players in this political thriller.
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Pakistani Taliban in Swat refuse to give up arms
The militants had struck a deal to relinquish their weapons in return for Islamic law in the region.
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Mitchell visit to Israel: Does Obama's path to Iran pass through Jewish settlements?
Peace envoy's trip is part of sweeping effort to demonstrate a broader US approach toward regional peace.
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Obama talks guns, immigration in Mexico
He vows to support a regional treaty to curb gun trafficking as well as greater cooperation on clean energy.
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