The latest news on the Economic Stimulus, Mexico City Policy, Organizing to Governing, Afghanistan, Israel-Gaza, Iraq, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, and Select Op-eds.

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Economic stimulus. In Effort to Build Support, Obama Details Stimulus Plan "Releasing new details of an $825 billion economic recovery plan, President Obama depicted the proposal as critical to rebuilding for a new era." Obama offers some economic stimulus specifics "President Obama, offering the first specifics on a key element in his $825-billion stimulus package, said that it would add 3,000 miles of electric transmission lines and double the nation's use of wind and solar power within three years." GOP leaders balk at stimulus "Leading Republicans said they were unlikely to support President Obama's economic stimulus package in its current form, girding their party to confront the popular new president on a major, early initiative he had hoped would pass with broad, bipartisan support."

Mexico City policy. Funding Restored to Groups That Perform Abortions, Other Care "President Obama lifted a ban on U.S. funding for international health groups that perform abortions, promote legalizing the procedure or provide counseling about terminating pregnancies."

Organizing to governing. Melding Obama's Web to a YouTube Presidency "... one of the many obstacles the White House faces as it tries to accomplish what aides say is one of their most important goals: transforming the YouTubing-Facebooking-texting-Twittering grass-roots organization that put Mr. Obama in the White House into an instrument of government."

Afghanistan. Coalition deaths doubled in 2008 "Roadside bomb attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan hit an all-time high last year, killing more troops than ever and highlighting an 'emboldened' insurgency there, according to figures released by the Pentagon." Vice President Joe Biden on Afghanistan: More U.S. troop deaths likely "Vice President Joe Biden, in a somber assessment of the road ahead, predicted Sunday that American casualties would climb in Afghanistan as the Obama administration shifts military priorities in the battle against terrorism." From Hospital, Afghans Rebut U.S. Account "The American military declared the nighttime raid this month a success, saying it killed 32 people, all Taliban insurgents - the fruit of an emphasis on intelligence-driven use of Special Operations forces. But the two young men who lay wincing in a hospital ward here told a different story a few days later." Why Afghanistan is Obama's toughest foreign challenge "Ten days before President Barack Obama's inauguration, the Afghan government added a new wrinkle to the toughest foreign policy challenge confronting the new president by demanding a share of control over the 30,000-strong, NATO-led security force in Afghanistan."

Israel-Gaza. For Children of Gaza, Scars to Last a Lifetime "One by one, the seventh-graders rose from their old wooden desks and, in toneless voices that betrayed neither sadness nor surprise, spoke of horrible things." Israeli Army's conduct in Gaza offensive questioned "On Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised state protection for army officers and soldiers against possible attempts to prosecute them abroad for alleged war crimes during the campaign, in which more than 1,300 people were killed, more than half of them civilians."

Iraq. Iraq's Leader Pushes for Election Gains, but Some Fear Iron Hand "From palm grove-sheltered villages, like his hometown here in southern Iraq, to the crowded streets of Baghdad, Iraqis will cast votes that will strongly signal how much power Mr. Maliki, an increasingly authoritarian leader, will be able to command."

Bolivia. Bolivians Appear To Back Charter "After a prolonged debate that has split the country, unofficial results indicate that Bolivians voted to approve a new constitution, an affirmation of the socialist project begun three years ago by Evo Morales, the nation's first indigenous president." New constitution empowers Bolivia's indigenous majority but stokes old political battles "Bolivians easily approved a new constitution granting more power to the indigenous majority, but its weak support in the opposition-controlled lowland east leaves the racially torn country divided as ever."

Zimbabwe. New bid to ease Zimbabwe crisis "Southern African heads of state are making another attempt to resolve the political deadlock in Zimbabwe, with a special summit in South Africa." A Growing Chorus In S. Africa Urges Action on Mugabe "Kumi Naidoo joined the struggle against apartheid as a teenager, signing up with a movement that fought for human rights, delivered democracy to South Africa and now governs the country. Last week, he began a hunger strike to pressure that government to confront a different oppressor, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe."

Opinion/Commentary. A breakthrough against hunger (Jeffrey Sachs, Guardian) "Spain is taking global leadership in combating hunger by inviting world leaders to Madrid this week to move beyond words to action. With Spain's leadership and United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon's partnership, several donor governments are proposing to pool their financial resources so that the world's poorest farmers can grow more food and escape the poverty trap." Shhh. Obama Repeals the Abortion Gag Rule, Very Quietly (Amy Sullivan, TIME) "But by first issuing a statement urging support for common-ground efforts to reduce abortion rates and then waiting to sign the Executive Order late on a Friday afternoon - a time traditionally reserved for the release of information an Administration would like to bury - Obama sent a clear signal that he wants to turn down the heat on an issue that has defined and divided American politics for more than three decades." Faith-based, Part II (Jonathan Turley, USA Today) "If Obama's selection of Rick Warren bothered his progressive backers, they should read up on his plans for a bigger and better faith-based approach to government." Bad Faith Economics (Paul Krugman, New York Times) "As the debate over President Obama's economic stimulus plan gets under way, one thing is certain: many of the plan's opponents aren't arguing in good faith. Conservatives really, really don't want to see a second New Deal, and they certainly don't want to see government activism vindicated." Troubled Minds and Purple Hearts (Tyler E. Boudreau, New York Times) "A new decoration, a new medal, should be awarded to those whose minds and souls have been sundered by war."