Controversies show paradox of Obama’s style

His sometimes-bold, sometimes-timid approach to executive clout was on display in recent controversies.

IRS actions ‘inexcusable,’ White House aide says

Dan Pfeiffer says whether any laws were broken in the targeting of conservatives is “irrelevant” to the fact that it was wrong.

Michael Barber's advice is neither warm nor fuzzy. (Guardian/Redux)

Tough love from the ‘deliverologist’

In a drive to reform the World Bank, its new president has enlisted a famed (and demanding) change expert.

Politicians who cross the NRA soon
feel the wrath of gun-rights group

Politicians who cross the NRA soon <br>feel the wrath of gun-rights group

Even conservative lawmakers who go against the NRA are labeled as traitors and face negative ads.

Sibling spy intrigue puts spotlight on
S. Korea’s wary eye toward defectors

Sibling spy intrigue puts spotlight on <br> S. Korea’s wary eye toward defectors

Yoo Woo-sung thrived in Seoul until his sister told interrogators he was on a mission for the North.

How international voices influence American support for U.S. wars

How international voices influence American support for U.S. wars

WONKBLOG | A news analysis finds objections to the 2003 Iraq war were mainly from overseas.

Va. GOP leans right with nominees

Va. GOP leans right with nominees

After election losses, state Republicans are largely resisting advice to move to the middle.

Cicadas inspire dread in bug-phobic

Cicadas inspire dread in bug-phobic

The giant orange eyes. The wicked buzz. Those with a fear of insects dread the coming swarm.

The costly price of an NFL career

The costly price of an NFL career

A Post survey of retired players finds 9 in 10 suffer from daily pain.

Car drives into crowd at Appalachian Trail parade in Virginia; dozens hurt

Car drives into crowd at Appalachian Trail parade in Virginia; dozens hurt

Vehicle was apparently traveling about 20 to 25 miles an hour when it struck people at the parade.

Police: Wife fatally shot MWAA police officer husband in Sterling home

Rosangela Spradling charged with first-degree murder of Steven Spradling, who neighbors said scared them.

Forget L.A., D.C. is wired for cable

Forget L.A., D.C. is wired for cable

Discovery. PBS. BET. Even the Travel Channel. The city’s presence as a cable TV hub can’t be denied.

‘We always got along as best friends’

‘We always got along as best friends’

ON LOVE | In high school, he didn’t make a strong impression. But years later, a connection was clear.

Tara Brach speaks to a crowd in Bethesda, Md. (Bonnie Jo Mount/Post)

Tara Brach speaks to a Bethesda crowd. (Bonnie Jo Mount/Post)

Meditation guru is calm eye of Washington’s stress-filled storm

Although she’s known around the world, Buddhist meditation teacher Tara Brach has a D.C. niche.

FEATURED VIDEOS

White House aide: IRS scandal will not distract from policy agenda

White House aide: IRS scandal will not distract from policy agenda

White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer defends administration's handling of recent controversies, says "partisan fishing expeditions" won't distract the White House from pushing President Obama's policy agenda.
Winning Powerball ticket sold in Florida

Winning Powerball ticket sold in Florida

It's all about the odds, and one lone ticket sold in a Florida grocery store has beaten them all by matching each of the numbers drawn for the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery officials said Sunday.
Investigation begins after Conn. train crash

Investigation begins after Conn. train crash

Two commuter trains packed with rush-hour commuters collided in an accident that sent about 70 people to the hospital, severely damaged the tracks and threatened to snarl travel in the congested Northeast Corridor.
AP CEO: Justice Department's seizure of records ‘unconstitutional’

AP CEO: Justice Department's seizure of records ‘unconstitutional’

Associated Press CEO Gary Pruitt called the Justice Department's seizure of some AP telephone records "unconstitutional," saying "I really don't know what their motive was, I know what the message they are sending was — if you talk to the press we are going to go after you."
Part 4: ‘Why don’t you just make yourself legal?’ | Immigration: Pathway to now

Part 4: ‘Why don’t you just make yourself legal?’ | Immigration: Pathway to now

VIDEO | The future remains uncertain for 11 million people living illegally in the U.S. Though immigration reform seems closer than it has ever been before, can Washington and the Obama administration effectively repair 30 years of broken policies?
North Korea launches short-range missiles into sea

North Korea launches short-range missiles into sea

South Korea's Ministry of Defense says North Korea has launched three short-range guided missiles into the sea off the Korean peninsula's east coast.
Mitsitam Cafe: The National Mall’s dining oasis

Mitsitam Cafe: The National Mall’s dining oasis

Located at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Mitsitam Cafe is not just another tourist trap on the National Mall. The Post’s Tom Sietsema explains why the unique restaurant is included in this year’s Spring Dining Guide.

EDITORS’ PICKS

Four-star movies

PHOTOS | Actress-director Sarah Polley’s “Stories We Tell” joins the list of our favorite movies this year.

Washington, DC - April 25, 2013: Richard Hetzler is Executive Chef at Mitsitam Cafe, the National Museum of the American Indian at Smithsonian National. Chef Hetzler was photographed in the main kitchen for Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe which offers a menu featuring five stations: Mesoamerica, Northern Woodlands, South America, Northwest Coast, and Great Plains. The Cafe is located inside the Museum of the American Indian at Smithsonian National. (Photo by Joseph Victor Stefanchik for The Washington Post)

Spring 2013 Dining Guide

The Post’s food critic takes another taste of 13 restaurants he previously reviewed, including Mitsitam.

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

MLB power rankings

Barry Svrluga assesses the best teams in Major League Baseball through Thursday.

Seminary grads find alternative pulpits

Theology education used by doctors, filmmakers.

Photos of the day

Cyclone Mahasen, Texas tornadoes, puffin census, melting Swiss glacier and more.

Candice Glover wins ‘American Idol’

PHOTOS | The 23-year-old vocal powerhouse from St. Helena Island, S.C., tops competition in her third try.

Eye on entertainment

Claire Julien, David Hasselhoff, Freida Pinto, Candice Glover, Martin Short and more.

The Johnstown Flood

Twenty million tons of water devastated Johnstown, Pa., on May 31, 1889, claiming the lives of 2,209 people.

Turkey grapples with refu­gee crisis

Facing influx of more than 400,000 Syrians displaced by war, Turkish leaders appeal for international aid.

POLITICS

McConnell predicts Obamacare will be 'biggest issue' of 2014 election

McConnell predicts Obamacare will be 'biggest issue' of 2014 election

The Senate's top Republican predicted Sunday morning that President Obama's health care law will be the biggest issue of the 2014 midterm elections.

LOCAL COLUMNISTS

Why is there a bit of Walt Whitman poetry at the Dupont Circle Metro?

Why is there a bit of  Walt Whitman poetry at the Dupont Circle Metro?

Here’s the story behind the snippet of Walt Whitman poetry that adorns the Dupont Circle Metro station.

DISCUSSIONS

Your family story

Your family story

What’s your family’s immigration story? Share a photo or video of your family and tell us how and why they came to America.

DIVERSIONS