The latest news on Afghanistan, Taiwan, Bank Distrust, India, and Iraq.

Obama on Marriage Law. "The administration filed court papers today against a law that denies federal recognition of gay marriage -- even as it defends the law in court."

Public Option. "For President Obama, giving up on a public insurance plan could punch a hole in Republican arguments but could also alienate liberal Democrats."

Education. "An aggressive use of economic stimulus money has provoked heated debates over the uses of standardized testing and the proper federal role in education."