THERE IS a certain belt-and-suspenders quality to the ban on insider trading by members of Congress that was just passed by the Senate. Current law may prohibit such practices. But to the extent that there is ambiguity, it is important, for purposes of both potential prosecution and public perception, to make clear that such activity is indeed illegal. If anything, the measure does not go far enough.

OFFICIALS AT Banneker Ventures were thrilled when they learned in February 2008 that their company had won a competition to develop Metro-owned property on Florida Avenue NW. The general construction and contract management firm had beaten rival companies in an open procurement process for the retail and residential project. But when the proposal came before Metro on April 24, Jim Graham (D), the District?s representative on the transit agency?s board and a D.C. Council member whose Ward 1 would be home to the development, successfully moved to postpone action. Mr. Graham?s action warrants scrutiny.

IT?S BECOMING increasingly difficult to reconcile the Obama administration?s military and diplomatic initiatives on Afghanistan. Last month, the State Department unveiled a ?fight and talk? strategy that could involve the transfer of senior Taliban commanders from Guantanamo Bay to Qatar. The aim, officials said, was to induce Taliban leaders to accept what they have repeatedly rejected: talks with the Afghan government and a peace settlement based on the current Afghan constitution, including its protections for women.