Militants Said to Flee Before U.S. Offensive  —  The operational commander of troops battling to drive fighters with Al Qaeda from Baquba said Friday that 80 percent of the top Qaeda leaders in the city fled before the American-led offensive began earlier this week.

US may reduce forces in Iraq by spring  —  WASHINGTON - The U.S. may be able to reduce combat forces in Iraq by next spring if Iraq's own security forces continue to grow and improve, a senior American commander said Friday.  He denied reports the U.S. is arming Sunni insurgent groups to help in the fight against al-Qaida.

Operation 'Arrowhead Ripper' continues in Baqouba  —  Blackanthem Military News, BAQOUBA, Iraq - Task Force Lightning continued its offensive operation in and around the capital of Diyala province, Iraq, today as part of a powerful crack down on al-Qaida terrorists operating in the area.

TPM Reader SM writes in ...  I don't know if SM's claim is accurate in the particular.  But it's very true as a general matter.  —  I've long been amazed at how freely reporters accept it when this or that Arab or Muslim with a gun is labelled as "al Qaida."

Press Briefing by Dana Perino  —  White House Conference Center Briefing Room  —  MS. PERINO: Happy Friday.  One quick announcement.  Today the governor of Wyoming appointed John Barrasso to fill the vacancy caused by the unfortunate death of U.S. Senator Craig Thomas.

Bush claims oversight exemption too  —  The White House says the president's own order on classified data does not apply to his office or the vice president's.  —  WASHINGTON — The White House said Friday that, like Vice President Dick Cheney's office, President Bush's office is not allowing …

White House Defends Cheney's Refusal of Oversight  —  The White House defended Vice President Cheney yesterday in a dispute over his office's refusal to comply with an executive order regulating the handling of classified information as Democrats and other critics assailed him for disregarding rules that others follow.