The New Republic

Today, The New York Times reported on an emerging diplomatic tiff over the use of unarmed drones around America’s embassy and consulates in Iraq. Iraqi officials, who say they weren’t consulted about the use of the aircraft, argue that the use of drones violates their sovereign airspace. The Study tries to avoid wading into diplomatic disputes, but it notices that drones are popping up more and more in the news, and not just for launching missiles at suspected terrorists. READ MORE >>

Last night’s GOP debate featured an argument over an unusual topic: Newt Gingrich’s recent call for colonizing the moon. Lunar colonies, another one of Newt’s “big ideas,” were decried as a silly waste of money by Mitt Romney, who said that he would fire any subordinate who approached him with such a suggestion. Are lunar settlements a good idea? READ MORE >>

Believe it or not, President Obama and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer don’t like each other very much—or so their acrimonious meeting yesterday would suggest. When the president landed in Phoenix for a post-State of the Union event, he was confronted by Brewer on the airport tarmac. READ MORE >>

In his State of the Union speech last night, President Obama called for states to adopt laws limiting the ability of high school students to drop out. READ MORE >>

It’s all over, folks. Rick Perry, who so confidently muscled his way into the GOP frontrunners’ pack this summer, is bowing out. But while Perry’s overhyped, underperforming presidential campaign may be over, his third term as Texas governor doesn’t end until 2014. What can we expect when Perry returns to Austin? READ MORE >>

Another day, another weird idea from Newt Gingrich. Today’s special: The U.S. should consider a return to the gold standard. Gingrich, speaking at a forum in South Carolina (a place that really seems to bring out the crazy in people), admonished the Federal Reserve and declared: “Hard money is a discipline. It means you can’t inflate away your difficulties.” Would a return to the gold standard stop inflation? READ MORE >>

A new survey shows that the vast majority of millionaires agree with Warren Buffett’s calls for the very wealthy to pay more in taxes. There’s just one catch: Most of the survey respondents who sided with Buffett don’t see themselves as part of that very wealthy group. It’s hardly surprising to find support for the idea of somebody else ponying up more in taxes, but the survey does raise an interesting question: Do Americans see their tax burden as fair? READ MORE >>

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In a ceremony today in Pyongyang, the Associated Press opened a full news bureau to cover North Korea. The AP already has had a video bureau in North Korea since 2006; the new outfit will add writers and photojournalists to its operations in the notoriously-sealed off dictatorship. Does the AP’s new operation signal an expansion of press freedom in North Korea? READ MORE >>

Newt Gingrich released a new ad last week attacking Mitt Romney’s many ideological heresies, as well as—wait for it—his ability to speak French. It’s a strange attack, since Gingrich has engaged in self-flattery by comparing himself to Charles de Gaulle (who famously also spoke French). Newt seems to be relying on the power of 2003-style French-bashing to secure conservative votes. READ MORE >>