Troops Ready, but Israel Bets on Air Power  —  JERUSALEM, July 22 — On Israeli intelligence maps of southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the Hezbollah militia, there are numerals in circles that overlap many villages.  One is marked "8," others "7" or fewer.

Fatah: Hamas ready to accept deal on ceasefire, release of Shalit  —  Senior Fatah sources in Gaza said on Saturday that Hamas is ready to accept a deal that involves freeing abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, a joint cease-fire and an end to IDF actions in the Gaza Strip.

US blunders roil the Mideast  —  THE LATEST VIOLENCE in the Middle East demonstrates the bankruptcy of the Bush administration's grand design for the region.  The Iraq war was going to display American power, promote democracy, strengthen moderates, and secure Israel.

No More Joe  —  `Dead Wrong' On The War And Defense Of Bush, White House Excesses  —  Joe Lieberman and I have been friends and colleagues for 38 years.  We ran for and won seats in the Connecticut legislature as a team of reformers in 1970.  He was my state senator and I was his state representative.

Can Syria Be Saved?  —  The Bush administration may try to rescue Syria from its ties to the Iranians, according to a New York Times report out today, in part by convincing them to quit supporting the Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.  Condoleezza Rice will meet with the Saudis to attempt …

Buckley: Bush Not A True Conservative  —  In Exclusive Interview, Buckley Criticizes President For Interventionist Policies  —  (CBS) President Bush ran for office as a "compassionate conservative."  And he continues to nurture his conservative base — even issuing his first veto this week against embryonic stem cell research.

Outcry as border guards seize British 'dirty bomb' lorry heading for Iran  —  Border guards seized a British lorry on its way to make a delivery to the Iranian military - after discovering it was packed with radioactive material that could be used to build a dirty bomb.

America's domestic policy vs America's foreign policy  —  This week, George Bush used his presidential veto to block a bill on stem cell research, saying he couldn't support the 'taking of innocent human life'.  In Iraq, six civilians are killed by a US air strike, while casualties in Lebanon and Israel mount.

Israel hits Christian Television in Christian North Lebanon, Kills TV Man  —  Hizbullah rocket launchers are in the far south of Lebanon and Hizbullah is a Shiite organization.  —  Note that in a national emergency when 500,000 persons have been rendered homeless and the number is growing …

In Iran's Streets, Aid to Hezbollah Stirs Resentment  —  TEHRAN, July 22 — There is a huge amount of anger here about what is happening in Lebanon, but it is not all the result of Israeli bombs, missiles and artillery.  —  "Of course I am angry,'' said Hamid Akbari, 30, a deliveryman. "

Iran urges Muslim countries to stop Mideast conflict  —  TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been lobbying Muslims to be more active in seeking an end to Israel's continuing assault on Gaza and Lebanon, his office said.  —  "The silence of the United Nations …

8 grocery employees stabbed in Tennessee  —  MEMPHIS, Tenn. —A knife-wielding grocery store employee attacked eight co-workers Friday, seriously injuring five before a witness pulled a gun and stopped him, police said.  —  Elartrice Ingram, 21, was charged with nine counts of attempted first-degree murder, police said.