bearscondoleezza ricecongresscynthia mckinneydiplomacygeorge w. bushisraellebanonmiddle eastsyriawarworld leaders
Daily Briefing: Bear Patrol
- Israeli officials said the current Lebanon offensive will last for weeks, and ground forces have not been ruled out. The Israeli death toll is 24, the Lebanese is at 200+. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to the Middle East "to try to resolve the crisis," according to administration officials, but there's no word as to when. [WP, NYT]
- The key to escalating or defusing the conflict may rest with Syrian President Bashar Assad -- a "diplomatic neophyte," and the subject of President Bush's on-mic strategizing at the G8 summit. [W$J]
- President Bush says he will use his very first veto on any bill providing federal funding for stem cell research. [WP, Roll Call]
- A live microphone at a dinner at the G8 summit picked up and broadcast President Bush discussing policy, swearing, and interacting with other world leaders. [WP, NYT]
- Senator Lindsay Graham, a former military lawyer, is fighting the Bush administration on detainee rights and court-martials. [NYT]
- Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) faces a three-way Democratic primary. McKinney, who hit a Capitol Police officer with a cell phone four months ago, is expected to win handily. [The Hill]
- The House of Representatives approved a treaty to protect polar bears. [AP]
