Things are coming to a head  —  Surging Troops?  —  If we add another 30,000 or so troops to Iraq, in a final effort to win the war, then we must change (widen) the rules of engagement.  Only that way can America ensure that it simply does not create more targets for the insurgents …

Person of the Year: You  —  Yes, you.  You control the Information Age.  Welcome to your world.  —  The "Great Man" theory of history is usually attributed to the Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle, who wrote that "the history of the world is but the biography of great men."

US accused of using aid to sway votes in UN security council  —  The US uses its aid budget to bribe those countries which have a vote in the United Nations security council, giving them 59 per cent more cash in years when they have a seat, according to research by economists.

Shots Fired at Palestinian Leader's Home  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Fighting between Hamas and Fatah escalated Sunday, as the foreign minister's convoy and the president's Gaza residence came under attack.  Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas will boycott an early election called by the president.

Gingrich: Imams should have been arrested  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told an audience in New Hampshire Muslim clerics pulled off a plane for praying should have been charged criminally.  —  Gingrich made the remark Friday night, as he delivered the keynote speech …

Stubborn or Stalwart, Bush Is Loath to Budge  —  In the late 19th century, the queen of England sent the president of the United States a desk made from the timbers of a decommissioned ship, the HMS Resolute.  Almost every occupant of the White House since then has made the Resolute his desk.

Jews far more likely to be victims of faith hatred than Muslims  —  Jewish people are four times more likely to be attacked because of their religion than Muslims, according to figures compiled by the police.  —  One in 400 Jews compared to one in 1,700 Muslims are likely to be victims of "faith hate" attacks every year.

The President In the Room  —  Hillary Clinton's Biggest Issue?  A Certain Someone in Her Background.  —  NEW YORK He stood far behind, hiding in plain sight, though his glowing white hair and ruddy complexion rendered him as inconspicuous as a face on Mount Rushmore.  —  The spotlight was not Bill Clinton's.

Russia defies West and goes ahead with nuclear fuel sale to Iran  —  RUSSIA is to begin supplying Iran with nuclear fuel early next year despite mounting concern in the West that this could accelerate Tehran's plans to build a nuclear bomb.  —  Sergei Shmatko, head of Atomstroyexport …

Episcopalians Are Reaching Point of Revolt  —  For about 30 years, the Episcopal Church has been one big unhappy family.  Under one roof there were female bishops and male bishops who would not ordain women.  There were parishes that celebrated gay weddings and parishes that denounced them …

And Justice Wept...  The NYTimes has an in-depth examination of the criminal justice system in Iraq.  It is a very painful read.  No matter which side of the criminal system you stand on — defense or prosecution — the ultimate goal on all sides is some attainment of justice.  Or at least, it ought to be, anyway.

The Capital Awaits a Masterstroke on Iraq  —  SOMEONE in Vice President Dick Cheney's office has gotten everybody on this city's holiday party circuit talking, simply by floating an unlikely Iraq proposal that is worthy of a certain mid-19th century British naturalist with a fascination for natural selection.

New manual at odds with key Iraq tactics  —  The counterinsurgency doctrine warns about practices still in use, such as big bases that may signal occupation.  —  WASHINGTON — The U.S. military's new counterinsurgency doctrine takes issue with some key strategies that American commanders …

If Only The Democrats Meant It  —  Just an observation: One of the factors Dems cite for withdrawing troops from Iraq is the fear that the Iraqis will come to depend on America for police and military functions if we don't.  I, and I imagine many others probably agree.

Jamil Hussein, Disputed AP Source, Finally Located?  —  NEW YORK Has the mysterious and much-disputed Associated Press source in Iraq, a police captain named Jamil Hussein — finally been found?  His existence has been challenged in the past three weeks from the U.S. military, some Iraqi officials and conservative bloggers in the U.S.