News You Need to Know | Washington Week

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News You Need to Know

Friday, January 23, 2015

House Republicans pass watered-down antiabortion bill
by Ed O'Keefe
The Washington Post
An emboldened group of moderate House Republicans put their leaders on notice this week that they intend to steer a more pragmatic course on social issues — including abortion, same-sex marriage and immigration — as the party tries to position itself for the 2016 presidential election.
Conservative Gathering in Iowa Offers Platform to Several Possible 2016 Contenders
by Ashley Parker, Trip Gabriel
The New York Times
The largest gathering of potential Republican presidential candidates so far will descend on Iowa on Saturday to test their messages at a forum shaping up as the informal starting gun for the 2016 campaign.
The Elevator Pitch For 2016 Candidates
by Amy Walter
The Cook Political Report
There are enough potential candidates for president (on the GOP side at least) that you need an Excel spreadsheet just to keep them all straight. Instead of a complicated algorithm, I've boiled each candidate down to his/her most basic elements. At the end of the day, these are the things more likely to define a presidential wannabe.
Saudi King Dies, and the World Shudders
by Nancy Youssef
The Daily Beast
Saudi King and longtime U.S. ally Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud died Friday morning, local time, Saudi television announced. His passing, at 90, marks the end of one the strongest U.S. allies in the region and puts oil prices and the politics of the region in question.
Cuba Seeks Removal From Terrorism List in Diplomacy Talks
by Indira Lakshmanan
Bloomberg News
U.S. and Cuban diplomats concluded what both sides called encouraging talks on restoring ties after five decades, as Cuban officials called for their country to be removed from the State Department’s list of nations sponsoring terrorism.

Gwen's Take

Washington vs. the Real World

January 22, 2015
"It's good every so often to get on a plane and search out the people at the heart of Washington debates."

3,2,1…The 2016 Presidential Campaign Starts Now

January 15, 2015

Ping-Pong Politics

January 8, 2015

Selma -- Then and Now

December 12, 2014

About Gwen

Gwen Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and co-anchor and managing editor of the "PBS NewsHour."  The best-selling author of "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," Gwen has covered seven presidential campaigns and moderated two vice presidential debates.

Gwen on PBS Newshour

Why Yemen’s political implosion is dangerous for the U.S.
Facing resistance from Capitol Hill, U.S. opens Cuba talks

Gwen's Appearances

Judith Rodin discusses The Reslience Dividend with Gwen Ifill at Miami Book Fair

Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari discuss new film ‘Rosewater’