... insisted that the country's military and intelligence officials had been unaware of Dr. Khan's activities during the past decade, despite the huge houses and lavish life he maintained on a relatively modest government stipend.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ... your super-empowered man.

Key Pakistani Is Said to Admit Atom Transfers

Musharraf is currently under attack from several directions and barely escaped two recent assassination attempts. Even so, Washington must insist that he not flinch from his responsibility ...

Pakistan's Nuclear Responsibility

"I think it's very important for us to let the Iraq Survey Group do its work, so we can find out the facts and compare the facts to what was thought."

"We're seeking all the facts."

Bush Backs Away From His Claims About Iraq Arms

The knee-jerk antagonism of the past is behind us. We can now deal effectively with even the most difficult issues between us. We are friends now, and we can speak frankly to each other as only true friends can.

Colin Powell published this op-ed article in Russian newspaper Izvestiya on Monday. It is short and well worth the read -- Powell at his best.

Partnership, Under Construction

What we demanded of Iraq was that they account for all of this and they prove the negative of our hypothesis."

Just listen.

(Follow the "Digging for Weapons" link. Let me know if this is not working for you; some people reported problems.)

Digging for Weapons

In truth, stories about the "neocon" ascendancy -- and the group's insidious intent to wage preemptive wars across the globe -- have been much exaggerated. And by telling such tall tales, critics have twisted the neocons' identities and thinking on US foreign policy into an unrecognizable caricature.

Think Again: Neocons, by Max Boot | Foreign Policy

"2004 is not an ordinary election; it is a referendum on the Bush doctrine. The future of the world hangs in the balance. That is the other point that I want to make; it is not enough to defeat President Bush. We must also develop and adopt a more constructive vision."

You can read a transcript of the speech, or you can download an MP3 of the introduction, speech, and discussion.

George Soros, Bubble Book Boy

American officials say they are uncertain why General Musharraf is now moving against the scientists. They suggested in recent interviews that the evidence has become so overwhelming that he has begun to fear the reimposition of sanctions by Congress. But they also suggest that he may be trying to reassert his power, demonstrating that he will not be intimidated by critics who say he has warmed up too much to the United States, both in the hunt for Al Qaeda terrorists and in Washington's demands to clamp down on proliferation.

More revealing details about the motivations behind the deal with Libya. We get irrefutable proof of Pakistani complicity, which then forces Musharraf to take action against those responsible. This incites the hardliners, and Musharraf is forced to engage them. Which leads us to bin Laden.

There are links, and then there are links.

Pakistan Chief Says It Appears Scientists Sold Nuclear Data

... Until the president is willing to employ carrots as well as sticks, he will make little headway in changing Iranian or Syrian behavior. The president's lack of initiative on this point is especially disappointing.

... and now you know the rest of the story.

Why Libya Gave Up on the Bomb

Officials at the American Embassy in Islamabad declined to comment. Pakistani officials said Dr. Farooq was in Pakistan.

Arresting al Qaeda suspects is one thing. But this feels more like a shakedown than a crackdown.

Apparently someone issued a memorandum calling on Musharraf to produce "quantitative results." So, now every headline about Pakistan includes a number. Problem solved.

Pakistan Questions 8 Linked to Nuclear Program