Report: Afghan nation-building effort in peril

EXCLUSIVE | Hugely expensive U.S. effort has had only limited success and may not survive an American withdrawal, according to the findings of a two-year congressional investigation to be released Wednesday.

Timothy Geithner, the persuader

Timothy Geithner, the persuader

Many wondered if Geithner would last. Now he’s a central figure in Obama administration.

Tim Pawlenty’s economic assertions

Tim Pawlenty’s economic assertions

FACT CHECKER | Republican presidential candidate says he has a plan to cut the deficit. Will it work?

Iran: Centrifuges to be installed

Iran’s nuclear chief says the country will install advanced centrifuges at its uranium enrichment site.

Yemeni leader’s condition in doubt

Yemeni leader’s condition in doubt

Saleh’s condition after attack is more serious than first reported and he may not return to nation.

Scandals return D.C. to bad old days

Scandals return D.C. to bad old days

What does it mean that members of the council and the mayor are fending off accusations?

Woods to skip U.S. Open in Bethesda

Woods to skip U.S. Open in Bethesda

Tiger Woods says injuries will prevent him from playing in next week’s tournament.

Columns and Blogs

Leaving Afghanistan

Leaving Afghanistan

The U.S. transition is long on exit and short on strategy.

Featured Photo Galleries

Injuries keep Woods out of Open

Tiger Woods announces he will not play in next week’s U.S. Open.

Game On at E3

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

Day in photos

Miracle on the Hudson plane, Lady Gaga at fashion awards, Casey Anthony trial and more.

Eye on Entertainment

View photos of Will Smith, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift and other celebrities.

Iran’s women’s soccer team banned from Olympics

Team banned because of headscarves.

Volcano erupts in southern Chile

A long-dormant volcano in the Calle Cordon region erupted.

Major wildfire spreads across eastern Arizona

The blaze has covered more than 300 square miles.

2011 Stanley Cup Finals - Bruins vs. Canucks

Boston routs Vancouver 8-1 in Game 3.

The MTV Movie Awards

Robert Pattinson takes home 3 awards; ‘Twilight’ wins best movie.

Criticism flows at Three Gorges Dam

China’s worst drought has caused the government to admit mistakes.

Kenny Chesney live

The country singer takes to the stage in as part of his Goin’ Coastal tour.

Boom and bust

Flagler County was once the fastest-growing county in the United States.

The 2011 Post Hunt

Thousands gathered in downtown Washington for brainteasers and fun.

Violence in Yemen escalates

Diplomatic efforts to ease President Saleh out of power have collapsed.

Recession road

Michael S. Williamson is hitting the road again and invites you to join him.

Featured Videos

Fast Fix - Weiner or Loser?

Video: Fast Fix - Weiner or Loser?

Anthony Weiner finally admitted to his online indiscretions. Will he overcome the scandal, or resign to the ranks of other politicians caught in the act?
Post Sports Live, June 7

Post Sports Live, June 7

The Washington Post's Dave Sheinin and Mike Jones join Dan Steinberg and Jonathan Forsythe to discuss the current state of the Nationals, preview game four of the NBA finals and talk about stadium renovations at FedEx Field.
Fast Fix - Santorum's Bid

Fast Fix - Santorum's Bid

Rick Santorum is running for President again. Will he be a major player, or a supporting actor?
The Post's Chris Cillizza on Rep. Weiner revelations

The Post's Chris Cillizza on Rep. Weiner revelations

The Washington Post's Anqoinette Crosby sits down with Post Politics managing editor Chris Cillizza to talk about the press conference in which Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) admitted that he lied about sending lewd photos of himself over Twitter.
Rep. Weiner admits Tweeting lewd photo

Rep. Weiner admits Tweeting lewd photo

At a dramatic Manhattan news conference, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said he won't resign despite taking and sending lewd pictures to women. (June 6)
Strauss-Kahn heads to court

Strauss-Kahn heads to court

Raw Video: Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, arrives in court to be arraigned on sexual assault charges. (June 6)
Gates begins farewell visits with troops

Gates begins farewell visits with troops

Retiring Defense Secretary Robert Gates says his worry is that troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan too soon. Gates is there assessing the situation on the ground ahead of an expected decision by President Obama on the start of troop withdrawal. (June 5)
Protesters celebrate departure of Yemen leader

Protesters celebrate departure of Yemen leader

Protesters danced and sang in the central square of Yemen's capital Sunday to celebrate the departure of the country's authoritarian leader for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia after he was wounded in a rocket attack on his compound. (June 5)
John Edwards: 'I did not break the law'

John Edwards: 'I did not break the law'

Two-time presidential candidate John Edwards says he has done wrong but did not break the law. He is charged with soliciting and spending more than $925,000 to hide his mistress and their baby from the public during his 2008 White House campaign. (June 2)
The Fast Fix- Herman Cain on the rise

The Fast Fix- Herman Cain on the rise

Why is Herman Cain the hottest thing in Republican presidential politics these days?
Racing for the cure

Racing for the cure

Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, shares the personal tragedy that launched the world's largest breast cancer foundation.
Mitt Romney will run against Obama

Mitt Romney will run against Obama

Republican Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama has failed the United States and is pitching himself as an alternative who can fix the nation's ailing economy. (June 2)
Mitt Romney declares bid for 2012 presidential election

Mitt Romney declares bid for 2012 presidential election

The closest thing the Republican field has to a front runner, in a field that lacks one, Mitt Romney launches his second bid seeking the GOP nomination for the presidency in New Hampshire. (June 2)

Featured Discussions

Live Q&A

Just how factual is Sarah Palin?

Just how factual is Sarah Palin?

The Washington Post columnist weighs in on Sarah Palin’s take on Paul Revere and other recent news.

Full Chat Schedule

On Faith

A right to ban circumcision

A right to ban circumcision

Should San Francisco have the right to ban circumcision?

More from On Faith

Editor's Choice

Don’t know much about history

Don’t know much about history

Sarah Palin’s Paul Revere flap is hardly the first. Politicians have a habit of twisting history.

Hell’s kitchen

Hell’s kitchen

Vegan Black Metal Chef and others fire up extreme cooking on YouTube.

Spring All-Met sports guide

Spring All-Met sports guide

Meet the players of the year and other top athletes in the Washington area.

A ray of hope from CBS

A ray of hope from CBS

Amid noise of a congressman’s awkward mea culpa, an anchor leads with other stories.

How’d your team do?

How’d your team do?

Watch step-by-step videos to solving the puzzles, upload your team photo and more.

Cooling off with summer TV

Cooling off with summer TV

TV critic Hank Stuever offers his picks for what to watch when it’s just too hot to do anything else.

Political parties on tap

Political parties on tap

Gatherings are separated by a salon, a sushi place and an ideological chasm.

Middle East: ‘Just Like Us’?

Middle East: ‘Just Like Us’?

Filmmaker Ahmed Ahmed’s comedy tour movie mixes multicultural message with laughs.

Best toys for summer

Best toys for summer

Whether the kids are playing in the backyard or on vacation, KidsPost has you covered.

A great guy for someone else?

A great guy for someone else?

DATE LAB | He’s touchy-feely. She likes to stand back. Are their similar interests enough?

Summer spy serial contest

Summer spy serial contest

David Ignatius has written the first 700 words. Where would you take the story?

On speeches and dying

On speeches and dying

GENE WEINGARTEN | Even for a frequent public speaker, the act can be a slow death.

Politics

Pawlenty calls for tax cuts, smaller government

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty offered what he called a dramatic alternative to Obama’s “big government and heavy-handed regulations.”

Diversions

Entertainment News

In conscience’s wilderness

In conscience’s wilderness

Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder,” about researchers in the jungle, is as gripping as it is thoughtful.

Love among disturbed, forgotten

Love among disturbed, forgotten

Rachel Simon’s “The Story of Beautiful Girl” is for those who never could speak for themselves.

Orange Prize to be awarded

Orange Prize to be awarded

Finalists for prize, which promotes women’s fiction in English, delve into topics of imprisonment, war.

Lifestyle

Green and bunches of trouble

Green and bunches of trouble

How does a singleton cook handle a vegetable sold in large quantities but cooked in small ones?

New alpha dog on D.C. streets

New alpha dog on D.C. streets

Nathan Anda ups the profile of Washington’s street hot dogs with his Frank cart.

Get the skinny on summery ciders

Get the skinny on summery ciders

We’ve reached the tipping point on so-called “skinny” margaritas. The antidote? Cider.

Special Reports

The Hunt

Inside the search for Osama bin Laden, which required new tactics and lasted almost 10 years.

Recession Road

Photographer Michael S. Williamson travels the nation to meet those affected by the recession.

Outlook’s 5 myths

Writers break down what you think you know about gas prices, the suburbs, Lincoln and more.

Post award winners

Photos honored by the White House News Photographers Association.

Million-Dollar Wasteland

Ongoing Washington Post investigation into how HUD has mismanaged affordable housing.

Travel Guide 2011

From travel agents to layover activities, there is plenty of advice for globetrotters.

Civil War 150

Washington Post special coverage of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

High School Challenge

A look at the rankings for more than 1,900 public high schools nationwide.

The Royal Wedding

Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey as the world watches.

The Fact Checker

Glenn Kessler “truth squads” the statements of political figures regarding important issues.

Images from Afghan War

Continuing coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan by photographers on the front lines.

‘It changes who you are’

Post’s in-depth look at traumatic brain injuries was a Pulitzer finalist for explanatory reporting.

Haiti’s profound sorrow

Three Post photographers were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Haiti quake.

Pulitzer finalist

Post’s deputy editorial page editor Jackson Diehl was recognized for his articles on foreign affairs.

The hidden life of guns

An in-depth investigation into how guns move through American society, from store counter to crime scene.

Top Secret America

The Post explores the top secret world the government created in response to the attacks of Sept. 11.