The White House said the president is planning to meet the pontiff “in the near future”
Christie Tries to Put Traffic Scandal in Rearview Mirror
Says it won’t stop him from governing New Jersey
Abortion Rights Group Gives U.S. a ‘D’
NARAL Pro-Choice America marks anniversary of Roe v. Wade by saying much more needs to be done
The U.S. Overspent Millions on Penis Pumps
Government spent $172 million on the erectile dysfunction tool over six years
First Lady Fashion: 17 Inaugural Gowns That Stood the Test of Time
As The National Museum of American History adds Michelle Obama’s second inaugural gown to the ‘First Ladies’ exhibition on its 100th anniversary, TIME looks back at the dresses that got rave reviews, raised eyebrows, and launched …
Morning Must Reads: January 14
In the news: Iran sanctions, Syrian rebel infighting, an appropriations bill, new Obamacare enrollment figures, West Virginia’s water supply, unemployment insurance, and the Weather Channel
In the ArenaForeign Policy
The Wages of Foolish Wars
My friend William McNulty, the co-founder of Team Rubicon, has a very smart piece linking the appalling suicide rate among recent veterans to the existential emptiness of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Hillary Clinton’s Unapologetically Hawkish Record Faces 2016 Test
Burned by Iraq in 2008, but still a strong voice for military action
In the ArenaLibya
The Last Word on Benghazi
Certain Republicans–the neo-conservative war hawk faction–have spent the past year or so trying to blow the tragic deaths at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, into a scandal of some sort.
Gates’ Book: Emphasizing the Ways, Not the Wisdom, of War
Former defense secretary begins week-long publicity push
Congress Strikes $1.1 Trillion Spending Compromise to Avoid January Shutdown
One month after Congress passed a two-year budget deal, leaders have struck a compromise allocating over $1 trillion to fund the government for the next year.
“There will be no shutdown,” said Senate Appropriations …
Huge Surge in Obamacare Enrollment Reported
About 1.8 million people enrolled in new individual health plans in December
Microsoft Ad: The Perfect Teaser for Someone’s Presidential Campaign
Microsoft’s top ad man once worked for Hillary Clinton. The company’s new feel-good ad campaign, featuring female world leaders, makes quite the case for, well, Hillary Clinton