Matt Berman: November 16, 2008 - November 22, 2008

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Embattled military contractor Blackwater Worldwide received quite a blow today when U.S. officials said that the new Iraqi security agreement doesn't give retroactive immunity to military contractors. This means that Blackwater employees could now be tried for crimes in Iraq, such as the infamous shooting in September of last year when Blackwater guards opened fire and 17 civilians were killed in Baghdad. (McClatchy)

An internal CIA probe found that the CIA misled Congress and the Justice Department during their 2001 investigation into a shot-down Peruvian plane. The incident occurred in April 2001 when a Peruvian pilot working with the CIA mistakenly opened fire on a small plane suspected of carrying narcotics traffickers, which in reality was carrying U.S. missionaries. The inspector general found that the CIA often ignored rules of engagement in Peru and officials gave false statements to cover up their actions. The ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), called Thursday for a new criminal inquiry. (Washington Post)

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) left the Senate Thursday to tears, applause, and a standing ovation after giving a final floor speech. With staffers visibly weeping to his side, convicted felon Ted Stevens concluded his speech on a note that has both guided his career and often gotten him into pork related trouble: "To hell with politics. Just do what's right for Alaska." (Politico)