The New Republic

As Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his departure from office today, TNR correspondent Nicholas Schmidle was on the ground to report:  READ MORE >>

If you needed any proof that Barack Obama was prepared to negotiate (generously, by the way) with the most vicious and meretricious of enemies all you have to have done is watched his high-stake transactions with the Clintons.  I posted a Spine yesterday about this, and I've now read an article by Edward Luce in the READ MORE >>

Apropos of Dayo's earlier post on superbugs, the tiny microbes often referred to as “extremophiles” that scientists are studying for their crafty energy-processing skills, comes this piece from the Washington Post, which places the bugs at the nexus of another modern scientific challenge: the search for extraterrestrial life. READ MORE >>

READ MORE >>

Imagine the following scenario: After eight long years, a Republican vacates his office. The Democrats, sensing the seat is theirs to win, put forth a number of strong, well-known candidates. Despondent Republicans lament a far-from-outstanding pool of candidates, including a would-be populist campaigning from his red pickup truck. One Democratic candidate emerges well-poised from a narrow primary win to become the first woman ever in the seat. The Republican Party, on the other hand, struggles to READ MORE >>

This past fall, the world watched in horror as brutal military rulers reasserted their control of Burma by chasing protesting monks from the streets of the country's capital. And the junta had help from a powerful ally: the American consumer. Burma produces more than 90 percent of the world's ruby and jade. According to Human Rights Watch, the state-controlled Myanmar Gems Enterprise pocketed nearly $300 million from the gem trade last year. That represents a 45 percent increase in profits from the READ MORE >>

In the seven months since its launch, Arthur Goldhammer's blog French Politics has become an absolutely invaluable resource for anyone interested in France. In fact, I'd go farther. I think Goldhammer has a fair claim to be offering the best commentary on France available in the English language today. It is a good example of how the Internet has been transforming the news media. READ MORE >>

We've anthologized our profiles of the presidential contenders just in time for Channukah...well, Christmas. Our election guide, published by Yale University Press, collects some of our classics into one pleasurable volume: Mike Crowley on Hillary and the War; Ryan Lizza on Bill Richardson and Barack Obama; Michelle Cottle on Fred Thompson; Jason Zengerle on John Edwards; Tom Edsall on Rudy. It has new essays by John READ MORE >>

We've anthologized our profiles of the presidential contenders just in time for Channukah...well, Christmas. Our election guide, published by Yale University Press, collects some of our classics into one pleasurable volume: Mike Crowley on Hillary and the War; Ryan Lizza on Bill Richardson and Barack Obama; Michelle Cottle on Fred Thompson; Jason Zengerle on John Edwards; Tom Edsall on Rudy. It has new essays by John B. Judis and Franklin Foer. Stick it by the john for perusing. Stuff it in stocking. READ MORE >>

That a supporter of the Fair Tax could plausibly win the nomination of a major political party beggars belief. For a reminder of the lunacy of the Fair Tax, check out this piece by Bruce Bartlett. Bartlett is a conservative who despises the Fair Tax. He argues the Church of Scientology initially designed the Fair Tax. --Frank Foer  READ MORE >>