Editors' Blog Is it the position by Paul Kiel 01.30.07 | 4:36 pm “Is it the position of this administration that it possesses the authority to take unilateral action against Iran, in the absence of a direct threat, without congressional approval?â Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) asks again for an answer to his question. Send Tips Paul Kiel is a former TPM reporter who covers covers business and consumer finance for ProPublica.