Politics News

A Senate report says U.S. troops had the ability to capture Osama bin Laden in December 2001, when American military officials pulled back on any massive pursuit of the terrorist leader. The report also finds that failing to catch bin Laden sparked the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan and the internal strife roiling Pakistan.

President Barack Obama plans to lay out his new strategy for Afghanistan in a Tuesday night address from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He's expected to announce his decision to deploy more than 30,000 troops to the war-torn country.
Sphere: Will NATO Allies Back New Strategy? | Obamas Hold First State Dinner
Politics Daily: Public Split on Afghan Buildup Plan

When asked about President Barack Obama's new plan to send around 34,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, respondents in a new CNN/Opinion Research poll were split on the idea, with 50 percent in favor of it and 49 percent opposed.
Sphere: Will NATO Allies Back New Strategy?
More Coverage: Obama to Lay Out Afghan Plan on Tuesday Night

The FBI says reports of hate crimes against gays and religious groups went up sharply in 2008. Overall, the number of reported hate crime incidents increased about 2 percent. These same figures show a nearly 11 percent increase in hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation, and a nearly 9 percent increase in such offenses based on religion.