 |
 | 2006 DECEMBER Dec. 28, 2006
 Government Troops Capture Somali Capital from Islamists Nearly a week after Somali soldiers and their Ethiopian allies began fighting Islamic militias that claimed control over most the country, government troops entered Mogadishu unopposed Thursday forcing the Islamists to retreat.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 26, 2006
 Conflict in Somalia Escalating Toward War Fighting between Somali Islamists and interim government forces has escalated in recent days. After a background report, Ray Suarez talks with two experts about the reasons for the conflict and the possibility of it enveloping the Horn of Africa region.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 25, 2006
 Iraqi President Decries U.S. Detention of Iranians Iraqi President Jalal Talabani complained Monday that the U.S. is holding Iranians seized in a raid last week. A reporter updates the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 22, 2006
 Senator Urges Talks with Syria to Ease Iraq Violence Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who recently returned from a trip to the Middle East where he visited several countries including U.S. foe Syria, discusses how he thinks Iraq's neighbors can help ease the sectarian violence.

   

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 21, 2006
 Marines Face Charges for Deaths of Iraqi Civilians Eight Marines have been charged in the massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha last year. Prosecutors claim the Marines went on a killing spree in retaliation for an attack that killed a comrade; the defense says the threat was real.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 21, 2006
 Secretary of State Rice Places Conditions on Iran, Syria for Talks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice re-asserts President Bush's need to seek input on Iraq strategy from a variety of sources beyond the Iraq Study Group and explains the president's hesitation to engage in talks with Iraq's neighbors, Iran and Syria.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 21, 2006
 Track Countries' Nuclear Developments This interactive map allows you to trace different nations' nuclear efforts over the past 60 years.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 20, 2006
 Incoming House Chairman Discusses U.S. Role in Iraq Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., who will become the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee next month, discusses his new role and gives his assessment of the war in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 20, 2006
 President Bush Vows to Continue in Iraq in Year-end Speech The NewsHour reports on President Bush's year-end address about the state of U.S. operations in Iraq and a possible short-term increase in troop levels.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 20, 2006
 Somali Islamists Clash with Ethiopian Forces Ethiopian troops in Somalia to defend the country's embattled government exchanged heavy gunfire with Somali Islamist forces Wednesday, a day after an Islamist deadline passed demanding that the Ethiopians leave or face war.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 20, 2006
 Iraq Under Saddam Hussein Nine months after the United States led an invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein was found hiding in a spider hole in the town of Tikrit on Dec. 13, 2003, ending nearly a quarter century of rule marked by brutality and force, but also by social reforms that made the country achieve the highest literacy rate in the Middle East.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 20, 2006
 Iraqi Forces Face Challenges Ahead of Planned 2007 Security Handover As Americans debate the direction of U.S. strategy in Iraq, much of the focus has turned to the Iraqi Security Force, or ISF.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 19, 2006
 Attacks in Iraq at All-Time High, Pentagon Report Says Attacks on U.S. personnel, Iraqi forces and Iraqi civilians are at an all-time high according to a Pentagon report released Monday. A Washington Post reporter discusses the situation in Iraq and disagreements within the military about what to do to ease the violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 18, 2006
 Proposals to Increase Troop Levels in Iraq Raise Questions at Home At a time when some policy-makers are calling for a drawback of combat forces from Iraq, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and others have called for more troops to help end the conflict. Editorial page editors from around the country debate the proposals.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 15, 2006
 Outgoing Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Receives Farewell at the Pentagon The Pentagon held a farewell ceremony Friday for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He has been the only person to hold the job twice. While he was praised today by the president and the vice president, he has received heavy criticism because of the war in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 15, 2006
 Attack on Hamas Politician Sparks Fighting in Gaza Clashes erupted Friday between rival Palestinian factions after Hamas accused Fatah of trying to assassinate Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government. Two experts on the Middle East analyze Palestinian tensions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 15, 2006
 Threat of War Rises in Somalia; Islamists Set Deadline for Ethiopian Withdrawal Residents of the Somali town of Baidoa stocked up on emergency provisions Friday as tensions between Somalia's Islamic Court fighters and government-backed Ethiopian troops heated up.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 14, 2006
 Iraqi Vice President Discusses Political Crisis in Baghdad Amidst continuing violence in Iraq and waning American support, Iraqi politicians struggle to bring peace and order. Iraqi Vice President Tariq Al-Hashimi, a Sunni leader, speaks about the political crisis in Baghdad and what can be done to improve the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 13, 2006
 Iraqi Politicians Talk of Limiting Shiite Cleric al-Sadr as Chaos Continues Vehicle bombings and shootings continued in Iraq Wednesday, as reports continued of attempts within the government to limit the power of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. New York Times journalist Ed Wong reports on the situation from Baghdad.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 12, 2006
 Experts Still Divided After Iraq Study Group Recommendations Following up on a series of conversations about U.S. Iraq policy, six guests debate the Iraq Study Group and President Bush's response to the different options offered.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 12, 2006
 Polls Reveal Public Concerned About Iraq Four new studies show Americans are uneasy about whether we can fix the situation in Iraq. Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, discusses the poll results and what they mean about public attitudes on the war with Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 12, 2006
 Truck Bombing Kills at least 60, Government Seeks to Limit al-Sadr Influence A man pulled into a busy Baghdad market Tuesday, called for help unloading his pickup truck and then detonated explosives, killing at least 60 people and wounding another 150.

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 11, 2006
 U.S. Policy in the Middle East Revisited Following Iraq Study Report The Iraq Study Group Report continues to raise prickly questions about the future of Iraq and America's role in the Middle East. Experts analyze how long troops will have to stay in the region and whether the Bush administration is ready to change directions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 8, 2006
 Shields, Lowry React to Iraq Study Group Report, President's Response Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review editor Rich Lowry analyze the Iraq Study Group report, President Bush's reaction to its recommendations, and military options in the war-torn country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 8, 2006
 Military Analysts Debate Proposed Shifts in Iraq Strategy The Iraq Study Group proposed a major shift in U.S. military forces, calling for substantially increasing troops embedded with Iraqi Security Forces while reducing combat brigades by early 2008. A former colonel and army captain discuss the possibilities.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 7, 2006
 Shiite Politician Urges Faster Iraqi Takeover of Security Leading Iraqi Shiite politician Abdul Aziz al-Hakim has urged U.S. forces to use a stronger hand against Sunni-led insurgents. Al-Hakim discusses his reaction to the Iraq Study Group report, as well as Iraqis' desire to take control of security forces as soon as possible.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 7, 2006
 Sandra Day O'Connor, Vernon Jordan Discuss Responses to Iraq Report President Bush and several senators expressed reservations Thursday about portions of the Iraq Study Group's recent report. Study group members former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former Clinton adviser Vernon Jordan discuss the response.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 7, 2006
 President Bush, PM Blair Respond to Iraq Study Group's Report President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair praised some of the proposals from the Iraq Study Group Thursday in a press conference, while expressing hesitation about others. NewsHour reports on their reactions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 6, 2006
 Congress Responds to Iraq Study Group's Findings Following the much-anticipated release of the Iraq Study Group report, Congress is debating alternative strategies for improving the situation in Iraq. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., share their reactions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 6, 2006
 President Bush Calls Iraq Study Group Proposals 'Very Interesting' President Bush said the Baker-Hamilton report provided "very interesting proposals" that the administration would consider seriously and act on "in a timely fashion." White House counselor Dan Bartlett elaborates on the administration's response.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 6, 2006
 Baker, Hamilton Discuss 'New Way Forward' Proposal for Iraq The Iraq Study Group released recommendations Wednesday calling for greater diplomatic efforts, as well as a "change in the primary mission" of U.S. troops that will allow "responsible" troop withdrawal. Co-chairmen James Baker and Lee Hamilton discuss the report.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 6, 2006
 Iraq Study Group Says U.S. Policy 'Is Not Working,' Suggests Changes The Iraq Study Group delcared Wednesday that U.S. policy in Iraq 'is not working.' The bipartisan commission called for enhanced diplomatic efforts and a new role for combat forces. Kwame Holman reports Washington's reactions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 5, 2006
 Fierce Fighting Threatens Afghanistan Mission A car bomb exploded near a NATO-led convoy in Kandahar, Afghanistan, injuring three British troops and two civilians. Barnett Rubin of New York University and Ali Jalali, former interior minister of Afghanistan, discuss the status of the peacekeeping mission and general welfare of the central Asian country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 5, 2006
 Defense Secretary Nominee Gates Says U.S. Not Winning in Iraq Defense secretary nominee Robert Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that the United States was not winning the war in Iraq. The NewsHour reports on the unfolding confirmation process for Donald Rumsfeld's replacement.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 4, 2006
 Iraq Strategy Casts Shadow over Gates Hearings As ex-CIA chief Robert Gates begins confirmation hearings for his appointment as defense secretary, analysts Jessica Mathews and Dov Zakheim discuss the confirmation process, the Iraq Study Group's likely findings and the direction of Iraq policy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Dec. 4, 2006
 Senate Begins Confirmation Hearings for Gates as Defense Secretary The Senate begins confirmation hearings Tuesday for ex-CIA Director Robert Gates, who President Bush chose to take outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's place. The NewsHour reports on the confirmation process.

     

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | NOVEMBER Nov. 30, 2006
 Rice Urges Expansion of Fragile Israeli-Palestinian Cease-fire U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in the Middle East on a mission to revive peace talks, urged Israelis and Palestinians to extend a tentative cease-fire implemented this week.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 29, 2006
 U.S.-Iraq Talks on Security Delayed a Day A meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Bush on security matters was postponed Wednesday, the same day a classified White House memo highly critical of the Iraqi leader was leaked to the press. The leaders are expected to meet on Thursday.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 28, 2006
 Americans Debate Whether to Call Crisis in Iraq 'Civil War' As the numbers of deaths and retaliation attacks in Iraq increase, editors, lawmakers and even the general public are debating whether to call the conflict a 'civil war.' Experts on military warfare and a journalist analyze the terminology and its implications.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 24, 2006
 Attacks Spur Reprisal Killings in Baghdad Shiite gunmen bent on revenge burned mosques and homes in a Sunni enclave of Baghdad Friday as Iraq's leaders pleaded for calm a day after the worst bomb attack since the start of the U.S. invasion. Analysts discuss the events of the past two days.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 23, 2006
 Analysts Discuss Possible Iraq-Vietnam Parallels When President Bush recently traveled to Vietnam for a meeting with Asian leaders, he was asked what lessons the Vietnam war offered for Iraq. Analysts discuss tactical and political comparisons between the two wars.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 23, 2006
 Series of Car Bombs Rips Through Eastern Baghdad Suspected Sunni Muslim insurgents blew up five car bombs and fired mortars into Baghdad's largest Shiite district Thursday, killing at least 161 people and wounding more than 250. New York Times Baghdad Bureau Chief John Burns updates the story from Baghdad.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 21, 2006
 Gunmen Kill Anti-Syrian Lebanese Cabinet Minister Lebanon's Christian, anti-Syrian Cabinet Minister Pierre Gemayel was assassinated Tuesday as he was leaving church in a predominantly Christian neighborhood near Beirut.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 20, 2006
 Analysts Debate Proposal to Increase Troop Levels in Iraq Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called for additional troops in Iraq on Sunday, while Democratic congressional leaders countered with a cry for their phased reduction. Analysts debate what the Pentagon's next step should be.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 17, 2006
 Military Intervention Necessary to Stop Darfur Crisis In the first in a series of conversations about what can be done about the Darfur crisis, Susan Rice, the assistant secretary of state for Africa under President Clinton, argues for international military forces to pressure the Sudanese government to end the fighting.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 17, 2006
 Senate Passes U.S.-India Nuclear Deal The Senate on Thursday approved a controversial bill allowing the United States to trade civil nuclear material with its one-time foe India, a victory for President Bush who hailed the plan as a major boost for trade with a key Asian ally.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 17, 2006
 Drug Trade, Resurgent Taliban Fuel Intensified Attacks in Afghanistan Funded largely by a flourishing drug trade, Taliban fighters have stepped up their attacks on Afghan and international forces, killing more than 300 people a month on average in Afghanistan.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 16, 2006
 NATO Troops in Afghanistan Combat Revived Taliban Five years after a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban in Afghanistan, members of the Taliban are regrouping and putting up a stronger fight against NATO troops sent to help stabilize the country.

   

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 15, 2006
 Watchdog Finds Many Iraq Reconstruction Projects Subpar Reviews of the Iraq rebuilding program show many sub-standard facilities, but construction companies say they face unusual challenges in a war zone. The NewsHour presents a report.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 15, 2006
 General Abizaid Speaks Against Setting Firm Timetable for Iraq Withdrawal Gen. John Abizaid, the top American commander in the Middle East, testified at Senate and House hearings Wednesday and said that imposing a firm timetable for withdrawal from Iraq would hurt efforts by U.S. commanders to manage the war.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 14, 2006
 Mass Kidnapping Highlights Difficulty of Daily Life in Iraq Gunmen in police uniforms staged a mass kidnapping in Baghdad Tuesday. State television later reported that most people had been released. Experts discuss how Iraqis manage to live with the risk of violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 13, 2006
 Senators Debate Changes in U.S Strategy Toward Iraq President Bush met with members of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group Monday to discuss the situation on the ground, as some Democrats called for a phased troop pullout. Two senior senators debate recalling U.S. forces.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 13, 2006
 Iraq Study Group Develops Policy Options as More Attacks Scar Country President Bush met Monday with members of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and said he would not "prejudge" the forthcoming report, though he did praise the commission for asking good questions.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 10, 2006
 Jim Lehrer Reflects on Marines at Museum Dedication Jim Lehrer spoke of his time in the Marines at the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., on the 231st anniversary of the corps.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 9, 2006
 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's Colleagues Debate His Legacy Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's surprise resignation has triggered debate over his relationship with the military, his handling of the Iraq war and his efficacy as leader. A former colleague and a former assistant secretary of defense discuss the legacy of Rumsfeld.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 8, 2006
 Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Resigns, Bush Appoints Former CIA Director Successor Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resigned Wednesday, and President Bush nominated Robert Gates, former director of the CIA, to succeed him. Jim Lehrer reports on Rumsfeld's resignation and provides excerpts from President Bush's White House Press Conference, as well as comments by Rumsfeld and Gates on the decision.

 

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 8, 2006
 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Steps Down Under fire from Democrats and a growing number of Republicans for the way the war in Iraq has been conducted, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned Wednesday, a day after Democrats scored major electoral victories.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 3, 2006
 Sudanese President Refuses to Allow U.N. Peacekeeping Troops Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Friday reaffirmed his refusal to allow U.N. peacekeeping troops in the Darfur region of the country.

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 1, 2006
 U.S. Should Increase Troops in Iraq, Military Historian Says As part of a series of conversations about U.S. strategy in Iraq, Frederick Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute argues for sending more U.S. troops to Iraq amid heightened violence in the country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Nov. 1, 2006
 Israeli Strikes Kill at Least Six in Gaza Strip Israeli troops killed six Palestinian militants in Gaza Wednesday in what the army and witnesses called the largest military offensive since Israel re-entered the territory in June.

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | OCTOBER Oct. 30, 2006
 Economic Development Can Help Curb Violence in Iraq, Expert Says In a series on U.S. strategy in Iraq, Eric Davis, a professor of Middle East politics at Rutgers University, discusses how investing in economic development projects can help curb the violence in the war-torn country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 27, 2006
 Former CIA Officer Says Iraq Can Be Stabilized By Trained Security Forces Next in a series exploring how the United States should handle the war in Iraq, former Army special forces and CIA officer Michael Vickers discusses how the security situation can be improved by properly training Iraqi security forces.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 26, 2006
 Democratic Senator Discusses Security in Iraq amid Increasing Violence As the October death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq reached 96, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said more weaponry would be needed to handle the situation. Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat on the Armed Services Committee who just returned from Iraq, discusses the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 26, 2006
 National Security Adviser Outlines Three-step Plan for Iraq The Bush administration has called on the Iraqi government to move more quickly to stabilize their country. National security adviser Stephen Hadley discusses the White House's plan to help support Iraqi security forces.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 26, 2006
 Afghan Civilians Killed During NATO Raid Upwards of 60 civilians were killed during a NATO-led bombing campaign against Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to local officials there.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 25, 2006
 Journalists Gauge Possible Fallout of Bush Speech on Elections President Bush said the United States is "winning" in Iraq and urged against a fixed timetable for withdrawal from the country. Political journalists E.J. Dionne and Rich Lowry discuss the possible political ramifications of the president's policy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 25, 2006
 President Bush Calls Iraq Violence a 'Serious Concern' President Bush announced in a press conference that violence in Iraq is a "serious concern," as the death toll of U.S. troops neared 100 for the month of October. Analysts discuss the administration's evolving Iraq policy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 25, 2006
 President Bush Says U.S. is 'Winning' in Iraq President Bush said in a press conference that increasing violence in Iraq is upsetting but that the United States must continue in the struggle because it is vital to national security. However, the U.S. is pressuring the Iraqi government to accept more responsibility for its own fate, he said.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 24, 2006
 Plan Floated to Divide Iraq Along Ethnic Lines As the debate continues over the United States' next steps in Iraq, some proposals have called for sectioning the country along ethnic lines. Former State Department official Peter Galbraith discusses the decentralization of Iraq in this second of a Newshour series on the future of Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 24, 2006
 Iraqi Government Agrees to Timeline for Stabilization, U.S. Says U.S. officials said Tuesday Iraqi leaders have agreed to develop a timeline by the end of the year toward stabilizing Iraq and taking control of security from U.S. forces in the next 12 to 18 months with some level of U.S. support.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 23, 2006
 Deadly Month in Iraq Bolsters Calls for Withdrawal Eighty-six U.S. soldiers died in Iraq in October, making it one of the war's deadliest months. Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies considers a withdrawal of U.S. troops in this first part of a series on Iraq views.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 20, 2006
 U.S. Base in Kyrgyzstan Provides Launching Point into Afghanistan In a report from News 21 Project, a collaboration of five journalism schools, two students look at life on a remote U.S. military base in Kyrgyzstan, where soldiers await deployment to operations in neighboring Afghanistan.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 20, 2006
 Mahdi Militia Temporarily Seizes Control of Iraqi City Shiite militias raided police stations in the southern Iraqi city of Amarah Friday, briefly taking control before mediators negotiated a truce. A London Times reporter in Baghdad provides an update on the situation in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 South Korea Vows Continued Ties with North Korea Despite a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Korea is resisting pressures to become more proactive in sanctions against North Korea, hoping to avoid escalating the already tenuous situation. Policy experts discuss South Korea's view of the conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 North Korea Country Map and Nuclear Sites Map A map of North Korea's main cities, along with population demographics and country facts. Another map featuring the five main nuclear sites includes information on history and the capabilities of the sites.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 North Korea: Historical Overview A timeline tracing North Korea from the Koryo dynasty in the 10th century AD to 1998.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 The Demilitarized Zone The demilitarized zone, or DMZ, the world's most heavily fortified border, that spans between North and South Korea is dotted with landmines and bunkers and crisscrossed by barbed wire. The strip of land serves as a tourist destination, a site for negotiations and one of the most noted potential military flashpoints.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 Kim Il Sung The North Korean government describes Comrade Kim Il Sung as a precocious revolutionary and visionary "philosopher-king" who saved Korea from "imperialist plunderers" and forged a new nation based on his self-reliance ideology.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 Kim Jong Il Although Kim Jong Il has ruled North Korea for nearly a decade, little is known about the reclusive leader, son of North Korea's "Eternal Leader" and first ruler, Kim Il Sung.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 North Korea's Nuclear Program North Korea's role as a center for nuclear development commenced even before the official creation of the state. During the Second World War, Japanese officials reportedly based their efforts to develop an atomic weapon in a region that, after the war ended, would be within Soviet-occupied North Korea.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 19, 2006
 North Korea: Nuclear Standoff: U.S. Relations Despite a brief 61 years on the world stage, North Korea has constantly posed a challenge to U.S. policy makers as the small communist country struggles to define its global position.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 18, 2006
 Violence Escalates Amidst Reconciliation Efforts By Iraqi Premier The U.S. military announced 11 more deaths Wednesday, as Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki called for a national reconciliation conference to build political consensus between the warring Shiite and Sunni factions. A journalist in Baghdad discusses the situation there.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 16, 2006
 As Violence Escalates, President Bush Assures Iraq of U.S. Support In a fresh wave of sectarian attacks in Iraq Monday, more than 100 people were killed. Meanwhile, President Bush assured Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki that the United States has no plans to set a timetable for the removal of U.S. troops. Analysts discuss the struggle for security in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 16, 2006
 China Searches North Korean Cargo After Sanctions Imposed China began inspecting cargo for weapons at the North Korean border Monday after coming under intense pressure to enforce sanctions imposed by the United Nations over the weekend.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 13, 2006
 New Air Force Memorial Ready for Dedication The new Air Force Memorial in the Washington area cost $30 million and took 15 years from inception to completion. Until now, the Air Force was the only branch of the U.S. military withoout a memorial.

 

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 13, 2006
 China Limits 'Extreme Sanctions' for North Korea The United Nations Security Council agreed Friday to limit sanctions against North Korea after pressure from China and Russia. Experts Ming Wan and Michael Green discuss the U.N. resolution and China's connection to the isolated Kim Jong Il government.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 12, 2006
 Doctors Work to Restore Damaged Faces of Iraq War Soldiers As a result of the explosives and weapons used in Iraq, more than 100 soldiers have sustained severe injuries to their faces. But with the help of facial prosthetics and advanced plastic surgery, doctors can help repair the damage and their lives.

     




 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 12, 2006
 Iraq Study Group Offers Recommendations for U.S. Policy The chairmen of the Iraq Study Group, Republican James Baker and Democrat Lee Hamilton, discuss their assessment of the situation on the ground, its impact on the surrounding region and consequences for U.S. interests.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 12, 2006
 Prosthetic Sculptures Duplicate Faces of Wounded U.S. Soldiers With the increased number of wounded U.S. soldiers from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, technology is being developed to replace injured faces with prosthetic sculptures. Researcher and sculptor David Hanson discusses the new robotic technology and the problems associated with duplicating a human face.




 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 11, 2006
 Study Finds Iraq Death Toll Higher Than Previous Estimates According to a new study released by Johns Hopkins University, 655,000 Iraqis have been killed since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 -- much higher than previously estimated, although the numbers have been disputed. A reporter in Baghdad provides an update on the death toll and other developments in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 11, 2006
 President Bush Rules Out Military Attack on North Korea President Bush on Wednesday said the United States had no intention of pursuing military action against North Korea and would continue to follow a diplomatic path to ending North Korea's nuclear program.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 11, 2006
 Doctor Discusses the Tissue Engineered Duplicate Organs Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University discusses the use of tissue engineering in replacing faces of wounded U.S. soldiers.




 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 11, 2006
 Doctor Discusses Complexity of Rebuilding Faces of Injured Soldiers Dr. Joe Rosen discusses the issues involved in rebuilding a complex organ such as the face, and efforts under way in the "Virtual Face" project.




 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 11, 2006
 Soldier Discusses How He Copes with His Reconstructed Face U.S. soldier Jeffrey Mittman, who was seriously wounded in the face while serving in Iraq, discusses how he is coping with his injury.




 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 10, 2006
 Rebuilding Afghanistan Remains Challenging Five Years After Invasion Last week, peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan were officially handed over to NATO troops, nearly five years after the United States invaded the country and ousted the Taliban. Washington Post reporter Pamela Constable discusses the progress and setbacks in rebuilding Afghanistan.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 10, 2006
 Bomb Attacks Kill at Least 18 in Iraq as Security Plan Proceeds Scattered explosions left at least 18 dead in Iraq Tuesday, as the Iraqi government went ahead with plans aimed at ending the sectarian violence.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 10, 2006
 U.S. Rejects Direct North Korea Talks Despite Threats North Korea officials threatened another nuclear test Tuesday unless the United States agrees to hold direct talks. Policy experts discuss President Bush's continued rejection of direct talks and reaction to the test.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 9, 2006
 World Leaders Respond to North Korea's Claim of Nuclear Test North Korea said on Monday it conducted a successful nuclear weapons test, forcing an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Experts discuss the alleged test, proposed responses and implications for the region.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 9, 2006
 World Leaders Condemn North Korea Following Claim of Nuclear Test Despite warnings from the U.N. Security Council that a nuclear test would lead to severe consequences, North Korea claimed Monday it set off its first nuclear test.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 6, 2006
 U.S. Military Helps Create Hollywood Films on War and Warriors Over the years, Hollywood has created many blockbuster films on U.S. wars and its warriors. With liaison offices with the entertainment industry, the American military often plays a role in helping to create and craft its depiction.

 

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 4, 2006
 Iraqi Police Investigated for Possible Ties to Mass Kidnapping A 700-member Iraqi police squad has been barred from duty because of suspected links to the kidnapping of 24 workers that occurred earlier in the week. A reporter provides an update on the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 3, 2006
 Taliban Factions Growing Along Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Five years after the overthrow of the Taliban government in Afganistan, lawless tribal areas along the Pakistan border have fallen under control of Taliban militias. A Frontline documentary examines the crisis in the Pakistani province of North Waziristan.

   

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 3, 2006
 Internal Palestinian Fighting Threatens to Derail Government A new wave of internal fighting among Palestinian factions over the last two days has left at least a dozen people dead and threatened to unravel the Palestinian Authority.

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 2, 2006
 Defense Analysts Debate Whether Secretary Rumsfeld Should Go Bob Woodward's new book "State of Denial" presents the struggle between the military and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over decisions made in the Iraq war. Analysts debate whether Rumsfeld should remain at his post.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 2, 2006
 National Guard Assists with Security Along U.S.-Mexico Border President Bush began the deployment of up to 6,000 National Guard members to the four states on the U.S.-Mexico border to perform support duties for border patrols. The NewsHour provides a report.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Oct. 2, 2006
 Iraqi Prime Minister Announces Peace Plan; Curfew Extended In an effort to curb the sectarian killings across Baghdad, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki presented a four-point plan after talking with Sunni and Shiite party leaders, while Iraq's parliament extended the state of emergency in the capital Monday.

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | SEPTEMBER Sept. 29, 2006
 Relative of Chief Judge in Saddam Trial Killed in Baghdad Militant gunmen killed a brother-in-law of the chief judge in the Saddam Hussein trial, police said Friday. A reporter provides an update on the murder and other violence, as well as comments made by U.S. generals about the security situation in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 25, 2006
 Iraqi President Shares Views on Terrorism Threat, Security Iraqi President Jalal Talabani responds to a leaked U.S. intelligence report that says the Iraqi war is increasing the threat of terrorism. He also discusses security in Baghdad and the future of Iraqi politics.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 20, 2006
 U.S. General Says Iraq Will Move Toward Stability Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, expressed optimism about the situation in Iraq, saying the country is moving toward stability despite reports of growing sectarian violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 20, 2006
 Thai Military Calls for New Elections, Constitution The army commander in Thailand who led a bloodless coup against the government said Wednesday a new prime minister would be selected in two weeks and elections held in October 2007.

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 19, 2006
 Thai Military Overthrows Government, Declares Martial Law The military in Thailand ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday while he was in New York for U.N. meetings, declared martial law and revoked the constitution. Two analysts discuss growing tension between the prime minister and the monarchy and other factors that could have led to the coup.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 15, 2006
 Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Discusses Increasing Violence Continuing violence in Iraq has led to the deaths of seven more U.S. soldiers since Wednesday and the discovery of over 100 tortured and gunshot bodies across Baghdad. Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih discusses Iraq's political and security developments.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 14, 2006
 Doctors Scramble to Handle War Veterans' Brain Injuries Medical experts are witnessing an increase in the number of brain injuries sustained by soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, prompting Veterans Affairs hospitals to set up special centers to handle the severe cases.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 13, 2006
 Iran Looks to Increase Influence in Middle East, World Affairs As Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to court world leaders and openly defy the United States, Margaret Warner looks at what the ascendant Islamic republic wants to achieve with its growing influence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 13, 2006
 Dozens of Tortured Bodies Found Across Baghdad Violence in Iraq continued, as the bodies of some sixty gunshot victims were discovered in Baghdad, nearly forty Iraqis were killed by bomb and mortar attacks and the U.S. military announced the deaths of two more American soldiers. A reporter in Baghdad provides an update on the situation in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 12, 2006
 President Bush Defends Iraq War Despite New Senate Report President Bush defended the invasion of Iraq this week, drawing criticism from Democrats who claimed he was politcizing the Sept. 11 anniversary. Two senators debate the war and the disputed link between Iraq and al-Qaida.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 8, 2006
 Afghanistan Violence Escalates After Call for More Troops Following a NATO request for additional troops in Afghanistan to combat Taliban insurgents, a suicide bomber rammed into a convoy near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul Friday, killing 16. Sarah Chayes, a former reporter who covered the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan discusses life in the war-torn country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 7, 2006
 President Bush Proposes Military Trial Process for Terror Suspects Following the announcement that terror suspects had been held in secret facilities, President Bush pressed Congress Thursday to approve military tribunals for terror suspects. Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and John Sununu (R.-N.H.) debate the proposal.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 7, 2006
 U.S. General in Iraq Discusses Handover of Military Forces As the United States formally transferred control of Iraq's military force to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government Thursday, sectarian violence continued in Iraq. Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, commander of the multi-national forces, discusses the handover and new interrogation rules.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 6, 2006
 Iranians Debate Nuclear Program, Standoff with the West As the fear of an American attack on Iran becomes stronger, people in Tehran support their president's decision to continue developing its nuclear energy program. NewsHour correspondent Margaret Warner reports on how Iranians view the nuclear issue.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 5, 2006
 Marine Reflects on Personal Impact of 9/11 Sgt. Lazaro Arocha, a New Yorker who joined the Marines one day following the Sept. 11 attacks, served in Iraq, and is now a recruiter, shares his story as the first in a series on Americans changed by 9/11.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 5, 2006
 NATO Troops Kill, Surround Dozens of Militants in Afghanistan NATO forces killed between 50 and 60 Taliban militants in Afghanistan on Tuesday as a part of a new military offensive, and surrounded 700 others in the southern part of the country.

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 4, 2006
 Sudan Agrees to Non-U.N. Peacekeeping Forces Sudan said African Union troops may stay in the country but not under United Nations control. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer talks about Khartoum's rejection of a U.N. force and attempts to forge a compromise.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Sept. 1, 2006
 Analysts Discuss U.S. Policy in Middle East, Katrina Anniversary, CIA Leak Case Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss speeches by President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld defending U.S. policy in the Middle East, the Hurricane Katrina one-year anniversary, and a revelation in the CIA leak case.

     

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | AUGUST Aug. 31, 2006
 President Outlines U.S. Plans on Winning War on Terrorism President Bush has begun a series of speeches to boost support for the war on terrorism. A Democrat and Republican debate U.S. foreign policy and its impacts on mid-term elections.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 30, 2006
 Israel Rejects U.N. Chief's Request to Lift Blockade on Lebanon U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited Jerusalem Wednesday, calling for the removal of Israel's air and sea blockade of Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rebuffed the request until all ceasefire terms are met, including the release of two Israeli soldiers.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 29, 2006
 Sectarian Clash Leaves at Least 60 Dead in Southern Iraqi City Diwaniyah was calm Tuesday, a day after militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the Iraqi army battled for 12 hours, killing 40 gunmen and 23 soldiers. Analysts assess what the fighting says about the Iraq government's ability to control the country.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 28, 2006
 Kidnapped Journalists Released in Gaza, Violence Continues After 13 days in captivity, two Fox News journalists were dropped off in front of a Gaza City hotel this weekend, despite an earlier demand for the release of Muslim prisoners in the U.S. A reporter discusses the release and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 28, 2006
 Iran Remains Defiant Amid Tensions over Uranium Enrichment U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan announced Monday that he would visit Iran, one day after Iran repeated its intention to continue uranium enrichment despite a U.N. deadline to halt nuclear program activities. NewsHour Correspondent Margaret Warner reports from Tehran.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 28, 2006
 Shiite Militia, Iraqi Forces Clash in Southern Iraq Fighting between Shiite militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and U.S. and Iraqi soldiers left at least 34 people dead and 70 injured in the southern city of Diwaniyah Monday, officials said.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 25, 2006
 Europe to Send 7,000 Peacekeepers to Lebanon U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced that the European Union had agreed to provide 7,000 troops, or nearly half the expanded peacekeeping force, to southern Lebanon. Analysts discuss the U.N. mission.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 25, 2006
 Youth Confronted with Military, Other Options Impelled by the prospect of financial security, career options, and adventure, Gen Nexters are still opting to enlist in the military even with the ongoing war in Iraq. While some recruits believe that the military is not all that it's cracked up to be, others believe that service makes you an overall better person.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 23, 2006
 Israeli Soldiers Angry over Losses in Hezbollah Fight As the war between Israel and Hezbollah comes to an end, Israeli soldiers express anger over the loss of their comrades who were called into active duty from the reserves.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 23, 2006
 U.S. Marines to Recall 1,200 Reservists to Iraq and Afghanistan The Pentagon announced Tuesday that in the next few months some 1,200 Marine reservists, formerly active-duty service members, will be recalled for duty in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Experts discuss the consequences of the decision.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 23, 2006
 Countries Weigh Iran Nuclear Counterproposal France offered its first take on Iran's proposal to re-open negotiations over its nuclear program, saying the door to talks was open, but only if Iran suspends uranium enrichment -- something it has opposed to date.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 22, 2006
 Iran Agrees to Negotiate on Nuclear Program Although Iran said Tuesday the country is willing to enter negotiations over its nuclear program, it did not indicate whether it would suspend uranium enrichment activities. Analysts discuss possible implications.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 21, 2006
 President Declares Failed Mideast States Threat to U.S. President Bush said Monday that failed states in the Middle East are a direct threat to U.S. security and that the United States will remain engaged in the region to defend democracy. Experts discuss the region's instability and its effects on U.S. foreign policy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 21, 2006
 Nations Struggle with Details of Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission The United States plans to present another U.N. resolution on disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in an effort to flesh out a peacekeeping plan for the region and break an impasse in the international body.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 17, 2006
 France Offers Few Troops to Lebanese Peace Force President Jacques Chirac said France would only deploy 400 troops to Lebanon even as U.N. officials said they hoped for more troops from the country slated to lead the force to end the clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 16, 2006
 France Agrees to Lead U.N. Peace Force in Lebanon France agreed Wednesday to lead a U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese cabinet voted to start moving 15,000 troops to the region. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown discusses the U.N. effort.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 15, 2006
 Testing Continues on Missile Defense System NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Kaye of KCET-Los Angeles provides an update on the military's defense against missile attacks, including efforts to shoot down missiles aimed at the United States.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 15, 2006
 Lebanese Refugees Return Home as Tense Cease-fire Holds Israel began pulling its troops out of southern Lebanon Tuesday and made plans to hand over territory to U.N. peacekeeping forces and the Lebanese army on the second day of a delicate cease-fire tested by skirmishes and rocket fire.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 14, 2006
 Fighting Prompts Thousands More to Enter Darfur Camps Refugees International visited several camps in Darfur, Sudan, where fighting between the government and rebel groups has forced at least 25,000 more people to flee their homes and enter the camps. Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International, talks about the continuing humanitarian crisis.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 14, 2006
 American Jews Feel Effects of War in Middle East Of the nearly 2 million North American Jews -- including 17,000 students -- who expected to travel to Israel this summer, many found themselves caught up amid the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict while others headed toward the fighting to provide moral support.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 14, 2006
 Cease-fire Holds Between Israel, Hezbollah After Lebanon and Israel agreed to a U.N.-brokered cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Hezbollah crippled and vowed to still pursue its leaders, while Hezbollah head Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah claimed victory. Middle East experts discuss the cease-fire and its implications.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 11, 2006
 Diplomats Work to End Mideast Fighting The U.N. Security Council moved to authorize the deployment of 15,000 troops to enforce a proposed truce between Israel and Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. Experts discuss efforts to end the violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 10, 2006
 Suicide Bomber Attacks Shiite Shrine in Iraq A suicide attacker detonated his explosives outside a Shiite shrine in Najaf, Iraq, Thursday, killing at least 35 people and injuring at least 122, the Iraqi army said.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 9, 2006
 Israel Threatens to Expand Military Effort Against Hezbollah Israel moved Wednesday to broaden its offensive into Lebanon to try to destroy Hezbollah strongholds, after naming a new commander to oversee the war. Experts analyze why the Israeli government took these steps.

   

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 8, 2006
 U.N. Works to Hammer Out Terms of Mideast Truce Arab leaders met with U.N. officials Tuesday to seek an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon as part of a U.S.-French draft resolution outlining terms of a truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 7, 2006
 Ambassador Khalilzad Outlines New Security Plan for Iraq As sectarian clashes continue, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad discusses plans to heighten security and make other changes in hopes of reducing violence by late September.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 7, 2006
 Fighting in Lebanon and Israel Claims More Lives With war continuing to rage in the Middle East, Independent Television News correspondents in Israel and Lebanon provide updates on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 4, 2006
 Political Analysts Discuss Mideast Conflict, an Iraqi Civil War, U.S. Senate Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, a possible civil war in Iraq, the Connecticut primary and the U.S. Senate.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 4, 2006
 Israel, Hezbollah Claim Victories After Weeks of Fighting After more than three weeks of fighting, both Israel and Hezbollah continue to claim victory for differing reasons. Middle East policy experts discuss how the two sides are evaluating their progress.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 3, 2006
 Top U.S. Military Commanders Warn of Civil War in Iraq Military officials told a Senate committee Thursday that Iraq could descend into civil war. Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., review U.S. policy in the Middle East.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 3, 2006
 Israel Resumes Bombing in Lebanon as Fighting Escalates Correspondents in Lebanon and Israel report on the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah violence, which entered its 23rd day.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 3, 2006
 Daily Attacks Mar NATO Takeover of Southern Afghanistan Attacks against NATO forces in southern Afghanistan killed 21 civilians and four Canadian troops Thursday.

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 2, 2006
 Talks for International Force in Lebanon Stall in U.N. Tapped to lead a multinational force in Lebanon, France postponed negotations Wednesday until a cease-fire agreement is reached. The deputy U.N. secretary-general discusses the current status of diplomatic efforts.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 1, 2006
 Lebanese Special Envoy Tarek Mitri Calls for Immediate Cease-fire Lebanese Special Envoy Tarek Mitri spoke to the U.N. Security Council Monday, resisting the creation of an international force in Lebanon and calling on the U.S. to press Israel for a cease-fire. On the NewsHour, Mitri discusses Lebanon's official perspective.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 1, 2006
 U.S. Secretary of State Rice Hopes for U.N. Resolution by Week's End Pressure mounted Tuesday after the European Union called for an immediate end to fighting in Lebanon while the Israeli cabinet voted to expand its ground offensive. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discusses U.S. efforts to end the conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 1, 2006
 Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres Defends Israel's Actions Prime Minster Ehud Olmert declared Tuesday that Israel was "winning" the battle against Hezbollah and that there was progress toward a conditional cease-fire. Vice Premier Shimon Peres gives the official Israeli position on the fighting and diplomacy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Aug. 1, 2006
 Fighting Escalates Between Israel and Hezbollah Correspondents in Lebanon and Israel report on the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah violence, which entered its 21st day.

 

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | JULY July 31, 2006
 Violence Prompts Planned Troop Increase in Baghdad Gunmen kidnapped 26 people from the Baghdad offices of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and a nearby company in a daylight raid Monday. A reporter discusses the U.S. military's plan to send at least 3,700 additional troops into Baghdad to stem the violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 31, 2006
 President Bush, Secretary Rice Outline Plans for Cease-fire Cutting short a 48-hour moratorium on air raids, Israel resumed bombing of Lebanon Monday as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed hope that a comprehensive settlement can still be reached. Analysts look into the U.S. role in bringing peace to the Middle East.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 29, 2006
 NATO Faces Difficult Task of Securing Afghanistan As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization officially expands its mission Monday to the restive southern region of Afghanistan, the alliance must try to stabilize an area in the midst of an insurgency orchestrated by the Taliban fighters.

 |  |

 |
 | July 28, 2006
 President Bush, Prime Minister Blair Seek Resolution to Enforce Mideast Peace President Bush and Prime Minister Blair announced an agreement to send a multinational stabilization force to Lebanon. After excerpts from a news conference, analysts Giovanni Castellaneta and Robin Niblett assess Europe's role in brokering a diplomatic solution.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 28, 2006
 Fighting Continues to Escalate Between Israel and Hezbollah Fighting raged at the Lebanese border with Hezbollah striking deeper in Israel. ITN reporters describe the latest events in Lebanon and Israel.

 

 |  |

 |
 | July 27, 2006
 Media Coverage of Israel-Hezbollah Fighting Shapes Perceptions Media coverage of the Israel-Hezbollah fighting in both the United States and the Middle East has presented different perspectives on the conflict. Analysts discuss the ways in which the reporting has affected people's views.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 27, 2006
 Situation Worsens As Fighting Continues in Lebanon and Israel The death toll increases and the humanitarian crisis deepens as fighting continues in Lebanon and Israel. Independent Television News reports.

 

 |  |

 |
 | July 26, 2006
 Humanitarian Aid Efforts in Lebanon Continue on Slow Path International agencies are providing relief aid to the estimated 700,000 Lebanese civilians displaced by the recent crisis. Israel opened four humanitarian corridors into Lebanon on Tuesday for relief agencies to provide food and medicine to those in need.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 26, 2006
 World Leaders Fail to Agree on Cease-fire in Middle East At an international conference held in Rome on Wednesday, world leaders were unable to reach an agreement on how to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Analysts discuss the meeting and international efforts to establish peace in the region.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 26, 2006
 Dozens Wounded in Israel-Hezbollah Fighting Hezbollah guerillas ambushed Israeli soldiers trying to advance on the Lebanese town of Bint Jbail Wednesday, killing at least 12 troops, according to Arab television.

 |  |

 |
 | July 25, 2006
 President Bush Plans to Shift More Troops to Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki met with President Bush Tuesday in Washington to discuss security concerns in Baghdad. President Bush announced that more U.S. troops will be redeployed to Baghdad to combat increasing violence. Experts discuss President Bush's latest move and security in the Iraqi capital.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 25, 2006
 As Conflict Continues, Israel Weighs Military and Diplomatic Options U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice continued her diplomatic trip to the Middle East Tuesday, speaking to Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Experts discuss the military and peace-keeping options facing Israel and the national debate over the current conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 24, 2006
 Israeli Forces Push Further into Lebanon; Rice Makes Surprise Visit to Beirut Israeli ground forces moved further into southern Lebanon Monday, focusing on the town of Bint Jbail, taking control of part of the Hezbollah stronghold.

 |  |

 |
 | July 24, 2006
 Secretary Rice Visits Beirut as Hezbollah-Israeli Shelling Continues Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited with Lebanese officials in Beirut Monday. Experts analyze the purpose of her trip and the role of U.S diplomacy in the Middle East.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 24, 2006
 Violence Continues in Israel and Lebanon Reporters provide an update on the fighting in Israel and Lebanon.

 

 |  |

 |
 | July 24, 2006
 Iraqi Prime Minister Denies Civil War Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki asserted Monday that, despite sectarian violence across the country that kills an average of 100 civilians per day, Iraq is not slipping into a civil war.

 |  |

 |
 | July 21, 2006
 Reporters Share Latest from Lebanon, Israel Reporters from Lebanon and Israel give an update on the current crisis in the Middle East.

 

 |  |

 |
 | July 20, 2006
 Head Shia Cleric Calls for End to Iraqi Sectarian Violence Amid an admission by the U.S. military Thursday that sectarian violence in Iraq had only slightly decreased, Iraq's top Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani has called for an end to the "hatred and violence." A reporter in Baghdad discusses the day's violence and announcement.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 20, 2006
 House Passes Resolution Backing Israel Reps. Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., discuss the resolution overwhelmingly passed in the House Thursday supporting Israel in the Middle East conflict while condemning Syria and Iran for providing Hezbollah with weapons and money.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 20, 2006
 Violence Continues in Lebanon and Israel Reports from Lebanon and Israel describe the continuing violence in the Middle East and the evacuation process.

  

 |  |

 |
 | July 20, 2006
 Ethiopian Troops Enter Somalia to Resist Islamic Militia Ethiopian troops rolled into the Somali town of Baidoa Thursday, Somali residents and other witnesses reported, in an effort to bolster the country's transitional government currently under threat from Islamic militants.

 |  |

 |
 | July 19, 2006
 Israel Says It Destroyed Half of Hezbollah's Power More than 60 people died in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah Wednesday, many of them civilians. Analysts discuss whether Israeli forces can eliminate Hezbollah's military capabilities.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 19, 2006
 Violence Continues in Lebanon and Israel As the shelling continues in the Middle East, Independent Television News has two reports from Lebanon and Israel about the destruction.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 18, 2006
 Iranians React to Tensions in Middle East with Sympathy, Fear Amid accusations by the U.S. and other nations that the Iranian government is backing Hezbollah's attacks on Israel, Iranians hold mixed opinions on the current situation in the Middle East.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 18, 2006
 Brzezinski, Kissinger Debate U.S. Role in Mideast Crisis Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security adviser to President Carter, and Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state and national security adviser for presidents Nixon and Ford, discuss the crisis in the Middle East and what America's role should be.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 18, 2006
 U.S. Undersecretary of State Calls for Israel-Hezbollah Cease-fire Clashes between Israeli and Hezbollah forces continued Tuesday as several countries worked to evacuate their citizens from the danger zone. The U.S. Undersecretary of State discusses evacuating Americans from the area and strategies for ending the conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 18, 2006
 Attacks Cost More Israeli, Lebanese Lives in Seventh Day of Fighting Two on-the-ground reports from Israel and Lebanon look at the continuing battle in the Middle East crisis Tuesday.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 18, 2006
 U.S., Afghan Forces Aim to Reclaim Areas Controlled by Taliban U.S. and Afghan officials said Tuesday that they will launch "decisive operations" to oust Taliban forces from strongholds set up in several towns in southern Afghanistan.

 |  |

 |
 | July 17, 2006
 Israeli, Syrian Ambassadors to the U.S. Speak Out on the Middle East Crisis Israeli Ambassador to the United States Daniel Ayalon and Syrian Ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha discuss the escalation of violence in the Middle East, the capture of two Israeli soldiers and who should take responsibility for the conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 17, 2006
 Israeli Prime Minister Vows to Continue Attacks Until Two Soldiers are Freed Two reports from Beirut and Haifa look at Israel's bombardment of Lebanon and Hezbollah's rocket attacks into Israel in today's sixth day of fighting.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 17, 2006
 Brazen Market Attack Kills Dozens South of Baghdad An attack on a market south of Baghdad Monday killed at least 40 Iraqis, mostly Shiites, and prompted members in the legislative bloc of the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to walk out of Parliament in protest.

 |  |

 |
 | July 17, 2006
 Israeli Troops Briefly Enter Lebanon; Foreigners Evacuate Beirut Israeli warplanes struck coastal targets in Lebanon and troops briefly entered the country to conduct military operations in the sixth day of fighting Monday aimed at stopping Hezbollah's missile attacks on Israel.

 |  |

 |
 | July 14, 2006
 Fighting in Lebanon Escalates; Hezbollah Declares 'Open War' As Israel continued attacks against Lebanon's infrastructure and militant strongholds, Hezbollah declared "open war," intensifying rocket attacks against Israeli cities in the north. Experts analyze Hezbollah's history and motives in the current conflict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 13, 2006
 Democrats Debate Political and Military Strategy for Iraq On the day U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for patience regarding a deadline for troop withdrawal from Iraq, Democratic senators Biden and Reed discuss possible exit strategies.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 13, 2006
 Israel-Lebanon Fighting Broadens Middle East Conflict Israeli troops continued attacks on Lebanon, targeting the Beirut airport and a Hezbollah television station. Hezbollah, in turn, fired over 120 rockets into northern Israel. Analysts look at the chances the violence can be de-escalated.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 12, 2006
 Israeli Forces Cross into Lebanon After Hezbollah Fight Israeli troops moved into Southern Lebanon Wednesday in response to the abduction of two Israeli soldiers during a border raid by the militant group Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the soldiers' kidnapping an "act of war."

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 11, 2006
 U.S. to Comply with Geneva Treaty on Detainees In a policy shift outlined in a Pentagon memo, the Bush administration has decided to treat all detainees in compliance with the minimum standard spelled out by the Geneva Conventions. Senators discuss the change.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 10, 2006
 Iraqi Violence Escalates as Government Calls for Unity Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pleaded for unity after an escalation of attacks over the weekend. Violence continued on Monday as two car bombs exploded in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 7, 2006
 Discharged U.S. Soldier Pleads Not Guilty to Murder, Rape of Iraqi Civilian In a federal court in Kentucky Thursday, former army private Steven Green pleaded not guilty to murder and rape charges stemming from an incident in the Iraqi town of Mahmoudiya in March. A New York Times writer discusses the charges stemming from the misconduct.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 7, 2006
 U.S. Armed Forces React to Charges Against Troops in Iraq Amid continued allegations of misconduct by U.S. military servicemen in Iraq, including seven marines and one navy corpsman accused of killing an Iraqi civilian in April, the military has added ethics and "values training" into soldier exercises.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 7, 2006
 Gaza Incursion Continues, Officials Hint at Possible Compromise A top Israeli official signaled a willingness to compromise Friday, saying Hamas militants must free an Israeli soldier and stop firing rockets. Hamas, meanwhile, insisted upon the release of prisoners.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 7, 2006
 U.S.-Iraqi Forces Increase Pressure on Militias Iraqi troops backed by U.S. forces have launched a crackdown on insurgent militias blamed for the recent increase in sectarian violence that has led to fears of a civil war.

 |  |

 |
 | July 6, 2006
 North Korea's Kim Jong Il Vows to Continue Missile Testing In a public statement Thursday, North Korea announced the successful testing of several missiles this week and promised to continue launching missiles as "our legal right." Three policy experts discuss what is driving North Korea's defiant actions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 5, 2006
 U.S. Envoy Says Missile Test Further Isolates North Korea The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday considered whether to impose sanctions on North Korea for test-firing at least seven missiles, including a long-range one that malfunctioned. U.S. envoy Christopher Hill outlines the American response to the test.

     

 |  |

 |
 | July 5, 2006
 U.N. Weighs Response to North Korea Missile Launches The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday considered whether to impose sanctions on North Korea for test-firing at least seven missiles, including a long-range one that malfunctioned.

 |  |

 |
 | July 3, 2006
 Saddam's Wife, Daughter, New Al-Qaida Leader on Wanted List Iraqi officials recently released a most wanted list of 41 people, including Saddam Hussein's wife and eldest daughter, and the new al-Qaida in Iraq leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri.

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | JUNE June 29, 2006
 Arrest of Hamas Leaders Fuel Tensions Between Palestinians and Israelis Israel's detention of 64 leaders of the Hamas-led Palestinian government and 23 members of other factions has further heightened tensions strained after Palestinians abducted an Israeli soldier and Israelis launched a retaliatory attack on Gaza.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 29, 2006
 High Court Blocks Guantanamo Tribunals The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Bush administration's policy of trying terror suspects before military tribunals is illegal. The 5-3 ruling said that the tribunals violated U.S. military law and the Geneva Convention.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 29, 2006
 The Supreme Court Rejects Military Tribunals The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Bush administration's policy of trying terror suspects before military tribunals is illegal, saying it violated U.S. law and the Geneva Convention. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the specifics of the decision.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 29, 2006
 Israel Arrests Dozens of Hamas Government Officials Israeli forces arrested 64 leaders of the Hamas-led Palestinian government and 23 members of other factions Thursday, days after Palestinians abducted an Israeli soldier and Israelis launched a retaliatory attack on Gaza.

 |  |

 |
 | June 28, 2006
 Israel Attacks Gaza After Soldier Captured Israeli troops launched air strikes against Gaza Wednesday, in response to the Palestinian abduction of a wounded Israeli soldier. Destroying three Palestinian bridges and a power station, troops crossed the Gaza border for the first time since the Israeli withdrawal 10 months ago.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 28, 2006
 Israel Attacks Gaza After Soldier Captured Israeli troops attacked parts of Gaza in response to the Palestinian abduction of an Israeli soldier. After destroying three Palestinian bridges, forces crossed into Gaza for the first time since the Israeli withdrawal 10 months ago.

 |  |

 |
 | June 27, 2006
 Hamas Ends Stalemate with Rival Fatah Party Hamas has reached an agreement that ended a political stalemate with the rival Fatah Party. Hamas denied earlier reports that this deal implicitly recognized Israel's right to exist.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 26, 2006
 Iraq Offers Amnesty to Some Insurgents Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday released a 28-point plan to calm ethnic and sectarian factions and offer amnesty to insurgents who were not proven to be involved in terrorist activities.

 |  |

 |
 | June 22, 2006
 Concerns Mount over North Korea's Ballistic Missile Testing North Korea announced preparations to test a long-range ballistic missile, followed by reports that the United States readied its ground-based interceptor missile-defense system. The moves have sparked a debate about how the United States should respond to a missile threat.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 21, 2006
 President Bush Defends U.S. Policy on Iran, Guantanamo Amid growing criticism from several countries over the treatment of prisoners of war, President Bush, following a one-day U.S.-EU summit in Vienna, said he hoped "to end Guantanamo." European policy experts discuss the reasons behind lagging U.S. popularity in Europe.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 21, 2006
 Senate Debates U.S. Troop Withdrawl from Iraq The Senate is considering two proposals to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. The NewsHour's congressional correspondent Kwame Holman recaps the debate.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 21, 2006
 Eight U.S. Troops Charged with Murder of Iraqi Civilian Seven U.S. Marines and one navy sailor were charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy Wednesday over the April death of a disabled Iraqi man in Hamandiya, while a fourth soldier also was charged with murder in the deaths of three Iraqis in May.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 20, 2006
 Killings Raise Questions About Insurgents' Tactics In an Internet statement, the militant group al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for killing two U.S. soldiers. Terrorism experts discuss the tactics and leadership of insurgents in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 20, 2006
 Two Missing U.S. Troops Found Dead in Iraq The bodies of two American soldiers who disappeared Friday after an insurgent attack on a checkpoint were discovered late Monday and showed signs of having been tortured, according to the Iraqi military.

  

 |  |

 |
 | June 20, 2006
 National Guard Troops Ordered to Patrol New Orleans Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Monday she would send National Guard troops to New Orleans following a weekend of violence that left six people dead.

 |  |

 |
 | June 20, 2006
 Two Missing U.S. Troops Found Dead in Iraq The bodies of two American soldiers who disappeared Friday after an insurgent attack on a checkpoint were discovered late Monday and showed signs of having been tortured, according to the Iraqi military.

 |  |

 |
 | June 19, 2006
 Massive Search Effort Underway for Two Missing U.S. Soldiers Amid the security crackdown in Baghdad, an al-Qaida linked group has claimed responsibility Monday for abducting two U.S. soldiers from a checkpoint while the U.S. military has charged three soldiers with the murder of three detainees during an operation.

  

 |  |

 |
 | June 16, 2006
 Shields and Brooks Debate Iraq War, Karl Rove and Guantanamo Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the president's trip to Iraq, a House vote on a timetable for withdrawing troops, and debate over the detention center at Guantanamo.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 16, 2006
 Iraqi Foreign Minister Discusses the New Unity Government Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraq foreign minister talks about efforts to build a unity government, the recent violence and efforts to crackdown on militias. Zebari has served as the foreign minister of Iraq for nearly three years.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 16, 2006
 House Rejects Setting Timeline for Withdrawal in Iraq In a symbolic move, the House passed a resolution that connected the conflict in Iraq with the global war on terrorism and rejected setting a deadline for withdrawing U.S. troops.

 |  |

 |
 | June 14, 2006
 President's Baghdad Trip Sparks U.S. Iraq Policy Debate President Bush Wednesday hailed efforts to build a democratic Iraq, but called for "patience" as U.S. troops continue to fight the war on terror. Analysts Zbigniew Brzezinski and Walter Russell Mead discuss the direction of U.S. foreign policy.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 14, 2006
 President Bush Urges Americans to Have Patience in Iraq At a press conference Wednesday, President Bush called for "patience and sacrifice" from the American people, while the U.S. troops remain in Iraq and continue to fight the broader war on terror.

  

 |  |

 |
 | June 14, 2006
 Somali Islamist Militants Seize Town from Warlords Somali Islamist militias that took over the capital Mogadishu last week ousted warlords from the strategic town of Jowhar on Wednesday.

 |  |

 |
 | June 13, 2006
 President Bush Discusses New Security Plan with Leaders in Iraq President Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad Tuesday to participate in his first direct talks with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, offering a dramatic show of support to the new government. Two senior senators on the foreign relations committee consider the visit and the road ahead in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 13, 2006
 President Bush Made a Surprise Visit to Baghdad to Meet with New Leadership President Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad Tuesday to meet with the Iraqi prime minister and discuss ways to bring stability to the troubled nation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 13, 2006
 President Bush Visits Iraq to Discuss Security, Other Matters President Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad Tuesday to meet with Iraqi leaders about ways to secure the country, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's reported plan to deploy 75,000 Iraqi and multinational forces to the capital.

 |  |

 |
 | June 12, 2006
 Palestinian Parliament Delays Vote on Referendum Recognizing Israel In the wake of violent confrontations between security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and members of the militant Hamas group, Palestinian leaders on Monday chose to table a decision on whether to pass a controversial referendum recognizing Israel's right to exist.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 12, 2006
 Guantanamo Suicides Stir Criticism of U.S. Policy Over the weekend, news of three suicides at the Guantanamo detention facility in Cuba raised new questions about the manner in which the United States is treating terror suspects.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 9, 2006
 Shields and Brooks Debate Political Impact of Iraq and GOP Legislative Push NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political impact of Zarqawi's death, the CA primary, and recent Republican proposals to repeal the estate tax and pass a marriage amendment.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 9, 2006
 Ambassador Khalilzad Says Iraqi Govt. to Present Security Plan As Iraq braces for a possible rise in violence following the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said the new prime minister's plan to rein in the various militias is a critical step to bringing security back to the capital.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 9, 2006
 U.S. Military Clarifies Zarqawi Death from Air Strike A report looks at the latest details of his killing of al-Zarqawi's death in Iraq, including the announcement today by that U.S. military that the Al-Qaeda operative was alive for a short time after the bombings.

 |  |

 |
 | June 9, 2006
 U.N., AU Work to Convince Sudan to Accept U.N. Troops A U.N. Security Council and African Union team arrived in Sudan Friday in a rare joint effort to convince Khartoum to accept U.N. peacekeeping troops in Darfur and plan for their deployment.

 |  |

 |
 | June 8, 2006
 U.S., Iraqi Leaders Hail al-Zarqawi Death With news of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death in a U.S. air strike Wednesday, President Bush called his death a victory in the war on terror and an opportunity for Iraq to "turn the tide" against the insurgency.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 8, 2006
 Key al-Qaida Terrorist Killed in U.S. Bomb Raid A reporter in Baghdad summarizes the military's role in the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the response from Iraqi citizens.

 |  |

 |
 | June 8, 2006
 United States Warplanes Kill al-Qaida Leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi U.S. and Iraqi officials announced the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. Ray Suarez reports on the steps leading up to the death of Zarqawi.

 |  |

 |
 | June 8, 2006
 Al-Qaida Leader Zarqawi Killed in Air Strike Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose al-Qaida in Iraq has claimed responsibility for some of the bloodiest attacks against Shiite Iraqis and American forces, was killed in an American air strike Wednesday night.

 |  |

 |
 | June 7, 2006
 Marine Corps Head Urges Patience in Haditha Investigations In his first public comments since allegations concerning Iraqi civilian deaths in Haditha and Hamdaniya, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee took responsibility for the training of troops in Iraq, but said he would not resign. Two former Central Command Marine Corps generals analyze the accusations and reaction.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 6, 2006
 Islamic Militia Takes Control of Somali Capital A day after Islamic militias took control of Mogadishu from warlords, the U.S. State Department expressed concerns that Somalia could become a "safe haven" for foreign terrorists.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 5, 2006
 Violence Continues as Iraqis Await Appointment of Key Ministers Gunmen dressed in Iraqi police uniforms kidnapped at least 50 people Monday at bus stations in Baghdad a day after 21 Shiite students were killed. The New York Times' Baghdad bureau chief discusses the kidnappings and the deadlock over ministerial nominations.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 2, 2006
 Analysts Debate the Haditha Investigation and the Appointment of Henry Paulson NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the continuing fallout over allegations of civilian murders by U.S. troops in Iraq, Henry Paulson's appointment and the week's political news.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 2, 2006
 Soldiers Cleared in Ishaqi Incident, Haditha Investigation Continues Despite the announcement late Friday that a military investigation had cleared soldiers in a March incident in the village of Ishaqi, the military is still conducting two investigations into the Haditha case, one to see if U.S. troops committed murder and a second to see if their actions were covered up.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 1, 2006
 Pentagon Orders Iraqi Troops to Be Retrained Army Gen. George W. Casey ordered all U.S. and allied troops to undergo training in battlefield ethics and values. The order follows allegations that U.S. Marines murdered 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha last November.

     

 |  |

 |
 | June 1, 2006
 East Timor President Calls for Unity Amid Violent Clashes East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao appealed to the country's military and police forces Thursday to cease feuding and work together to unite the country a week after fighting flared between soldiers and rebels.

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | MAY May 31, 2006
 Iraqi Prime Minister Declares State of Emergency in Basra Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared a state of emergency Wednesday in the southern city of Basra, where 140 people have been killed in rival gang clashes in May alone, police said.

 |  |

 |
 | May 30, 2006
 Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai Pleads for Peace in the Streets of Kabul An U.S. Army investigation found that the convoy accident in the capital of Afghanistan triggering violent riots against the U.S. was due to a mechanical failure. Meanwhile President Hamid Karzai vowed to stand up against the agitators. Two analysts discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 29, 2006
 Poet Responds to Lists of Americans Killed in Iraq Poet and Vietnam veteran Wyatt Prunty responds in verse to the NewsHour's broadcast of photos of American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 




 |  |

 |
 | May 29, 2006
 Senate Plans Committee to Probe into Haditha Slayings by Marines In light of the Marine Corps' soon to be released report into the killings of 25 Iraqi civilians in Haditha, the Senate Armed Services Committee announced that it will investigate the allegations as well. A New York Times reporter in Baghdad recounts the events of the day and eye witness interviews.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 29, 2006
 U.S. Humvee Crash Sparks Deadly Riots in Afghanistan Authorities in Afghanistan imposed a curfew in the city of Kabul Monday after a traffic accident involving a U.S. Humvee triggered a day of rioting that left at least eight people dead and more than 100 injured.

 |  |

 |
 | May 26, 2006
 Political Analysts Shields and Brooks Discuss Blair Visit, Iraq and FBI Raids Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss Prime Minister Blair's visit to the White House, immigration reform, Iraq, recent FBI raids on Capitol Hill and the Enron verdict.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 26, 2006
 Military Investigators Conclude U.S. Marines Murdered Civilians in Haditha Military investigators are ready to conclude that U.S. Marines killed up to 24 civilians over several hours in Iraq last November, nearly double the number of deaths initially reported by the Marine Corps. New York Times Pentagon reporter Eric Schmitt updates the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 23, 2006
 Millions of Veterans at Risk of Identity Fraud Following Data Theft In response to the disclosure that the personal information of more than 26 million U.S. veterans had been stolen almost three weeks ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs has created a call center to inform potential victims about consumer identity protection.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 22, 2006
 Coalition Air Strike Kills 80 Taliban Rebels in Afghanistan A U.S.-led coalition air strike killed up to 80 Taliban rebels and 16 civilians in the Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan, U.S. military and Afghan officials said Monday.

 |  |

 |
 | May 19, 2006
 U.N. Panel Urges Closure of Guantanamo Detention Center A United Nations panel on torture called on the United States Friday to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and expressed concern over reports of secret prisons.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 19, 2006
 Top Militants Captured as Violence Soars in Afghanistan Afghan officials reported Friday that three top militant fighters were captured during one of the deadliest weeks in Afghanistan that saw more than 100 people killed.

 |  |

 |
 | May 18, 2006
 Scattered Attacks in Iraq Kill at Least 20 More than 20 people were killed in attacks across Iraq Thursday, including 19 deaths in Iraq's capital.

 |  |

 |
 | May 17, 2006
 Former NSA Head Michael Hayden Prepares for Confirmation Hearings to Run the CIA Former National Security Agency chief Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden is expected to face tough questioning Thursday during his confirmation hearings to run the Central Intelligence Agency. Kwame Holman reports on the political issues that will play out in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 17, 2006
 Immigration Plan Places New Demands on National Guard Members of Congress have raised questions about President Bush's plan to use 6000 National Guard troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Military experts assess the impact of Iraq and Hurricane Katrina duty on the Guard and the possible effects of a new assignment.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 16, 2006
 Attack Kills 19 Iraqis, Roadside Bombs Kill 3 Americans Sabrina Tavernise of the New York Times describes another day of terrible violence in Baghdad after gunmen shot five security guards and then set off an explosion that killed 14.



 |  |

 |
 | May 16, 2006
 Attorney General Rebuffs Critics of President's Immigration Plan Amid continued debate over immigration reform, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales hopes to see an immigration bill pass through the House and Senate by the end of the year. Gonzales comments on the criticism against President Bush's immigration plan and the NSA.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 16, 2006
 Conservatives, Liberals Take Aim at President's Immigration Plan President Bush's five-point immigration plan proposed in a national address Monday, drew criticism from both sides of the aisle as the Senate continued debate over its immigration reform bill. Two members of Congress debate President Bush's five points and current legislation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 15, 2006
 President Deploys Troops to Border, Calls for Reform In a nationally televised address, President Bush introduced a five-point, $1.9 billion plan to secure the U.S.-Mexican border that includes deploying 6,000 National Guard troops and creating a "temporary worker" program.

 |  |

 |
 | May 15, 2006
 President Faces Political Pitfalls in Immigration Address A White House spokesman announced the National Guard will patrol the Mexican border as part of a broader immigration plan that President Bush will outline in a speech to the nation Monday night. Then, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks preview the president's speech.

 

 |  |

 |
 | May 12, 2006
 Darfur Deal Faces Uncertain Future Described as the last best hope for Darfur, the region's peace settlement is thrown into question by officials who worry over Sudan's instability and refugees who have little faith in the government. Margaret Warner reports from Sudan on the obstacles facing politicians and refugees before a peace deal can be achieved.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 11, 2006
 Iran Ready to Negotiate over Nuclear Program Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday he is willing to discuss his country's nuclear capabilities, a statement welcomed by Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency.

 |  |

 |
 | May 10, 2006
 Sectarian Violence Leaves More Than 1,000 Dead in April Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Wednesday that 1,091 people were killed in Baghdad in April, an indicator of rising sectarian violence since the February bombing of a Shiite shrine.

 |  |

 |
 | May 8, 2006
 President Nominates Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to Head CIA President Bush nominated Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden to serve as the Central Intelligence Agency's next leader, sparking debate over Hayden's military background and his role in the NSA domestic surveillance program. Two members of the House Intelligence Committee discuss the nomination and the CIA's new direction.

     

 |  |

 |
 | May 5, 2006
 Analysts Debate Goss Departure, Federal Spending Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks debate the resignation of CIA chief Porter Goss, federal spending priorities and the immigration protests.

     

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | APRIL April 28, 2006
 Iran's U.N. Ambassador Reiterates Civilian Nature of Nuclear Program An International Atomic Energy Agency report released Friday said Iran has disobeyed calls to halt its uranium enrichment program. Iran's ambassador to the U.N. defends his country's ambitions.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 28, 2006
 Report Shows Terrorism Increasing in Iraq, Worldwide The State Department issued an update on terrorist activities around the world Friday and tallied over 11,000 attacks in the past year, a fourfold increase from 2004. The report also said terrorist organizations in Iraq are strengthening.

 |  |

 |
 | April 26, 2006
 Tony Snow Moves from Fox to the White House President Bush named conservative commentator Tony Snow to be his new press secretary Wednesday. Snow, a former speechwriter for the president's father, currently works for Fox News.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 25, 2006
 China-Sudan Trade Relations Complicate Darfur Crisis When Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the White House last week, among other things, President Bush urged Hu to cooperate with the U.S. government in its effort to end the ongoing crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.

 |  |

 |
 | April 21, 2006
 Nicholas Kristof on the Sudan Conflict Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas Kristof talks to Jeffrey Brown about the crisis in Darfur and Chad, as well as his role in bringing attention to this and other conflicts.



 |  |

 |
 | April 20, 2006
 Activist Columnist Wins Pulitzer for Darfur Coverage Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas Kristof talks to Jeffrey Brown about the crisis in Darfur and Chad, as well as his role in bringing attention to this and other conflicts.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 18, 2006
 President Supports Rumsfeld At a Pentagon news conference, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that he's heard the criticisms of a group of retired generals but that he has not considered resigning. A report on Rumfeld's critics and supporters.

 

 |  |

 |
 | April 18, 2006
 Rumsfeld Defends Himself as Criticism from Generals Mount At a Pentagon news conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged that he's heard the criticisms of a group of retired generals but that he has not considered resigning. A discussion with two experts on Rumsfeld's declaration to stay and the fallout of the retired generals' criticisms.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 17, 2006
 Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing Heightens Tensions With Israel Nine people died and at least 49 were injured Monday when a suicide bomber attacked a falafel restaurant in Tel Aviv. The attack took place in the middle of the Jewish holiday of Passover, when many Israelis are off from work.

 |  |

 |
 | April 14, 2006
 Rumsfeld's Tenure and Future at the Pentagon Debated Syndicated Columnist Mark Shields and New York Times Columnist David Brooks discuss whether Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will resign and debate possible U.S. responses to a nuclear Iran.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 14, 2006
 Experts Debate Dangers Posed by a Nuclear-capable Iran Now that Iran has claimed its ability to enrich uranium, could the world tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran? And should it? Two experts debate the international response to Iran as a nuclear power.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 14, 2006
 Chad Ends Relations With Sudan Chad dissolved diplomatic relations with neighboring country Sudan on Friday and threatened to expel some 200,000 Sudanese refugees -- blaming the Sudanese government for supporting a rebel attack in the Chadian capital that killed 350 people.

 |  |

 |
 | April 13, 2006
 IAEA Chief Finds No Early Evidence of Iranian Weapons Program The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, in Iran for talks aimed at ending a standoff over the country's nuclear program, said no evidence exists that nuclear materials are being used to build weapons.

 |  |

 |
 | April 13, 2006
 Retired General Calls for New Leadership at Pentagon Several former generals have criticized Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on his Iraq war strategy. Retired Major General John Batiste joins the fray, urging there be a fresh start at the Pentagon.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 12, 2006
 Rwandan Survivor Calls for International Action in Darfur Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotel manager on whom the award winning movie "Hotel Rwanda" was based, speaks about the Rwanda Genocide and warns of history repeating in Darfur.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 11, 2006
 Iran Enriches Uraniam To Reactor Quality Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's has claimed that his country has enriched uranium to a sufficient quality for use in a nuclear reactor, but he reiterated his insistence that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Two experts analyze the situation.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 10, 2006
 Military Strikes Offered as an Option in Dealing with Iran Media reports over the weekend claimed that the Bush Administration is keeping military options open as a possibility to prevent further nuclear proliferation in Iran. Regional experts consider the use of a military threat in the Iran standoff.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 7, 2006
 Latest Baghdad Bombing Kills Dozens A bombing of a Shiite mosque in Baghdad Friday left dozens of people dead. Margaret Warner talks with Borzou Daragahi, the Baghdad bureau chief of the Los Angeles Times, about the latest violence.

  

 |  |

 |
 | April 5, 2006
 Secretary Rice Urges Congress to Approve the U.S.- India Pact Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tried to persuade members of Congress that President Bush's decision to share U.S. Nuclear technology and information with India is a good one. Experts weigh the implications of this nuclear deal.

     

 |  |

 |
 | April 3, 2006
 British, U.S. Officials Urge Iraqis to Break Political Stalemate Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her British counterpart Jack Straw prodded Iraqi leaders Monday to form a national unity government. Two regional experts consider the stalemate.

     

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | MARCH March 30, 2006
 House Minority Leader Pelosi Blasts GOP's Iraq Policy House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi discusses the Democratic plan for Iraq, immigration, and plans to take back the House of Representatives in November of 2006.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 29, 2006
 Security Council Calls for Iran to Stop Uranium Enrichment The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a statement Wednesday demanding that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment program, marking the first direct request from the Security Council concerning Iran's nuclear program.

 |  |

 |
 | March 27, 2006
 Analysts Discuss The Influence of Muqtada al-Sadr With followers in parliament and a powerful militia at his disposal, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's is vital to the future stability of Iraq. Two regional experts consider the growing importance of the popular leader.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 24, 2006
 President Bush Launches New PR Offensive on Iraq Mark Shields and David Brooks analyze the Iraq war's impact on politics and public opinion. The two columnists also discuss President Bush's public relations offensive, and the debate over an immigration bill in the House.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 24, 2006
 American Iraqis Fear Civil War in Their Homeland Country Three years into a bloody battle for their homeland, the mood in the cafes where Iraqi exiles gather in Chicago remains somber. NewsHour correspondent Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW-Chicago reports on Iraqi-Americans' fears of civil war in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 24, 2006
 Veterans of the Iraq War Discuss the Impact Three Years Later Four Iraq war veterans discuss their experiences in Iraq and their views on the war's impact three years after the initial U.S.-led invasion.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 23, 2006
 Car Bombs in Iraq Kill At Least 56 At least 56 Iraqis died Thursday in attacks, including a suicide car bombing outside a police crimes unit headquarters in Baghdad in which 25 people, including at least 10 policemen, died.

 |  |

 |
 | March 22, 2006
 NATO Secretary-General Discusses Possible Role in Darfur Pressure has been mounting for the international community to take a larger role in ending the violence in the troubled Darfur region of western Sudan that many have labeled a genocide. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer discusses what actions his organization may take in stabilizing the region.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 22, 2006
 Two Days Of Killings Shake Iraq About 60 insurgents attacked a police station south of Baghdad Wednesday -- the second such attack in two days. Elsewhere in Baghdad, gunmen killed six Shiite pilgrims and wounded 50 others. Ray Suarez speaks with New York Times reporter Jeffrey Gettleman about the day's events in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 22, 2006
 Veteran David Botti Reflects on Going to War in April 2003 Marine Corps reservist and NewsHour desk assistant David Botti talks about his deployment to Iraq.

 |  |

 |
 | March 22, 2006
 Basque Separatist Group Declares End to Violence ETA, a Basque separatist movement that has plagued the Spanish government for nearly 40 years, declared a permanent cease-fire Wednesday, ending a bloody campaign that has killed at least 850 people.

 |  |

 |
 | March 22, 2006
 Iraqi Forces Ward Off Insurgent Raid on Police Station Insurgents attacked a police station near Baghdad killing three police officers and one commander after a two-hour gunbattle with Iraqi and U.S. forces that resulted in the capture of at least 50 insurgents.

 |  |

 |
 | March 21, 2006
 Poet Responds to Lists of Americans Killed in Iraq Poet and Vietnam veteran Wyatt Prunty responds in verse to the NewsHour's broadcast of photos of American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 




 |  |

 |
 | March 21, 2006
 President Bush Defends His Decisions in the Iraq War Hoping to boost public opinion, President Bush defended his decisions over the Iraq war Tuesday morning at a press conference. Two guests give an analysis of the President's speech and assess his stance on the future of Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 20, 2006
 American Public Uncertain as Iraq War Enters its Fourth Year As public opinion surveys show growing disenchantment with the Iraq war, U.S. officials used the third anniversary to defend the continuing engagement. Two guests discuss Iraq's future.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 17, 2006
 Discontent Continues to Grow with U.S. Handling of Iraq War Columnist Tom Oliphant and New York Times Columnist David Brooks discuss a new book critiquing the Bush administration's pre-war planning, the continued drop in American support for the president's Iraq policy, the Feingold censure measure and more from the week's news.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 17, 2006
 Polls Show Decline In Support for War Jim Lehrer speaks with Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, about the latest poll numbers on how Americans view the war in Iraq.

  

 |  |

 |
 | March 17, 2006
 Two Authors Question Prewar Decisions A new book by two military experts has found that the Bush administration misjudged the ferocity of the armed insurgency that would follow the initial fighting in the Iraq war. The two authors discuss their findings.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 16, 2006
 U.S. Mililtary Strike Targets Northern Iraq The U.S. military launched Thursday the largest air assault in Iraq since the war began three years ago. Ray Suarez discusses the latest offensive with Edward Wong of The New York Times in Baghdad.

  

 |  |

 |
 | March 16, 2006
 New Offensive Appears to Target Insurgent Strongholds The U.S. military launched the largest air assault in Iraq since the war began three years ago. Experts discuss of the latest offensive and the implications on of the airstrike.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 16, 2006
 Taliban Leader Promises More Attacks Mullah Mohammed Omar, the leader of the ousted Taliban regime in Afghanistan, released a statement Thursday promising renewed attacks on coalition troops this summer.

 |  |

 |
 | March 15, 2006
 Tensions High Over Iran Nuclear Program Weeks of tough rhetoric from U.S. and Iranian officials have brought international tensions over Iran's nuclear program to an all time high with neither side willing to negotiate or back down. Two regional experts discuss the state of the diplomatic standoff.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 14, 2006
 Bloody Violence Marks Last 24 Hours in Iraq Iraqi police found within the last 24 hours the bodies of 87 Iraqis who had been shot execution-style. Reports indicate that they were apparently the victims of revenge killings by Shiites and Sunnis. Ray Suarez discusses the latest violence in Iraq with Washington Post Baghdad bureau chief Ellen Knickmeyer.

  

 |  |

 |
 | March 14, 2006
 Palestinians Surrender After Israeli Prison Raid Six Palestinian militants holed up inside a Palestinian prison surrendered to Israeli forces Tuesday, almost 10 hours after soldiers raided the compound to seize militants convicted of killing an Israeli Cabinet minister.

 |  |

 |
 | March 13, 2006
 Milosevic Death Ends Chapter in Troubled Balkans Retired General Wesley Clark discusses the life of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic who died in the midst of a four-year trial for alleged war crimes in the Balkans.

   

 |  |

 |
 | March 10, 2006
 African Union to Transition to U.N. Force in Darfur U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday the African Union will transform its peacekeeping mission in Sudan's western region of Darfur into a U.N. force.

 |  |

 |
 | March 10, 2006
 Militant Group Poses Threat to Nigerian Oil Industry The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, first emerged as an armed militia group in January 2006 when it launched coordinated attacks on oil installations.

 |  |

 |
 | March 8, 2006
 Iran, U.S. Spar Over Nuclear Research; Iran Referred to Security Council The United States and Iran exchanged threats over Iran's nuclear program as the International Atomic Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council.

 |  |

 |
 | March 8, 2006
 Thousands of Sudanese Protest Proposed U.N. Troops Thousands of Sudanese protesters, shouting "down, down USA," rallied in Khartoum on Wednesday against the proposed deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to the troubled western Darfur region.

 |  |

 |
 | March 7, 2006
 Fears Grow of Civil War in Iraq As violence and political instability continue in Iraq, there is a growing concern about the country descending into a full-scale civil war. Three guests discuss the security situation and the ongoing process to build a new government.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 7, 2006
 U.S. Rejects Russian Plan to Allow Iran to Enrich Some Uranium The Bush administration said Tuesday it opposes allowing Iran to enrich any uranium, a process used in the creation of a nuclear bomb, and hopes the U.N. Security Council moves to rebuke Iran over its nuclear program.

 |  |

 |
 | March 6, 2006
 High Court Rules in Favor of Military Recruitment on Campus The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that colleges that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus, despite some universities' objections to the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays. Gwen Ifill discusses the ruling with Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 3, 2006
 President Faces Katrina Fallout, Pakistani Protests Mark Shields and David Brooks speak with Jim Lehrer about Hurricane Katrina and the briefing video with President Bush, the president's trip to India and Pakistan and other leading stories from this week.

     

 |  |

 |
 | March 3, 2006
 Former CIA Official Derides Pre-War Intelligence Gwen Ifill discusses pre-war intelligence and what the Bush administration might have anticipated after the Iraq invasion with former senior CIA official Paul Pillar.



 |  |

 |
 | March 3, 2006
 Nuclear Watchdog Mulls Action Over Iran Nuclear Program Negotiations between Iran and the European Union over Tehran's nuclear program appeared to yield little ahead of a meeting of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Monday.

 |  |

 |
 | March 1, 2006
 Saddam Admits to Ordering Killings At least 30 more Iraqis died in and around Baghdad even as Saddam Hussein, on trial for his actions while Iraqi leader, admitted his role in some of the main allegations against him. Gwen Ifill speaks to Edward Wong of The New York Times in Baghdad about the day's events.

  

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | FEBRUARY Feb. 28, 2006
 Violence in Iraq Leaves Dozens Dead and Wounded A spate of attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 41 people and left dozens more wounded Tuesday, stoking fears the country could descend into civil war with Sunni and Shiite factions battling for political control.

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 27, 2006
 War Veteran Brian Turner Reads His Poetry Poet Brian Turner spent 2004 in Iraq fighting as a soldier in the U.S. Army and bearing witness to war through poetry.

 




 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 27, 2006
 Relative Calm Returns to Iraq After Bloody Clashes Traffic returned and businesses reopened after officials lifted a three-day curfew aimed at stemming sectarian violence in Iraq. A New York Times reporter in Baghdad talks about the recent violence, political negotiations between Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds and the status of an American journalist who was kidnapped last month.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 27, 2006
 Scattered Violence Continues in Iraq After Curfew Ends Traffic returned and businesses reopened Monday after officials lifted a three-day curfew aimed at stemming sectarian violence in Iraq. However, sporadic violence continued with a mortar attack that killed four in Baghdad.

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 24, 2006
 Dubai, Iraqi Violence Dominate Political Debate Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the reaction to the Dubai port deal and sectarian tensions in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 24, 2006
 Days of Clashes Raise Specter of Iraqi Civil War After days of sectarian strife marked by protests, riots and revenge killings in Iraq, tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims remain high. Margaret Warner speaks with Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times in Baghdad about the day's events.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 23, 2006
 Shiite Shrine Bombed Iraqi religious leaders and U.S. officials react to the bombing of a Shiite shrine.

 

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 23, 2006
 Shrine Bombing Sparks Bloody Sectarian Violence Two experts discuss the prospects for peace in Iraq, after a wave of revenge killings and attacks swept across the country in the wake of Wednesday's bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 23, 2006
 Iraqi Sectarian Violence Grows After Shiite Shrine Attack More than 130 people were killed in sectarian violence across Iraq Thursday, as Shiites retaliated for Wednesday's bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, Iraq.

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 22, 2006
 Blasts Kill Scores at Religious Site in Iraq Powerful bombs blasted a major Shiite shrine Wednesday in Samarra, Iraq, sparking reprisals against Sunni Muslims. Gwen Ifill speaks with New York Times reporter Edward Wong in Baghdad about the latest violence.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 22, 2006
 Air Force Academy Battles Accusations of Intolerance A report on matters of faith in the U.S. Air Force Academy and the efforts to create a more tolerant religious atmosphere on campus.

  

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 21, 2006
 U.S. Ambassador Calls for Iraq to Form Unity Government U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad talks from Baghdad about the latest violence in Iraq, the U.S. role in forming a government of national unity and Iran's influence in the Middle East.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 16, 2006
 Senators Call for Increased U.S. Action in Darfur U.N. officials, U.S. congressmen and even Olympic athletes have called for increased involvement in the Darfur region of Sudan. Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., discuss the political situation in Darfur and what the United States could do to help the suffering.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 13, 2006
 Reporter in Baghdad Discusses Recent Developments, Violence Jeffrey Brown speaks with Robert Worth of The New York Times in Baghdad about recent violence in Iraq and the decision to keep Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in office for a second term.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 7, 2006
 Vice President Cheney Defends Government's Wiretapping Program In a wide-ranging newsmaker interview, Vice President Dick Cheney defends the government's program of warrantless wiretapping of suspected terrorist communications as well as addresses the diplomatic standoff with Iran and the overall effectiveness of the Bush administration.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Feb. 3, 2006
 IAEA to Vote on Referring Iran to the Security Council Following an emergency meeting, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced it will delay a vote to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, three experts discuss how the situation might progress.

     

 |  |
 |
 |
 |
 | JANUARY Jan. 30, 2006
 Roadside Bombing Injures ABC News Anchorman Bob Woodruff A Media Unit report on the roadside bombing that severely injured ABC News anchorman Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt, followed by a discussion with a colleague of theirs.

  

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 30, 2006
 New Report Finds Shortcomings in Iraq Reconstruction Since 2003 the United States has spent more than $30 billion toward relief and reconstruction in Iraq. Stuart Bowen, the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, discusses a new report that finds shortcomings in the rebuilding.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 16, 2006
 Bombings in South Kill Dozens As Karzai Warns of New Attacks Remnants of the Taliban continued to launch attacks Monday, claiming responsibility for two attacks in the southern part of Afghanistan that killed at least 26 people and wounded nearly 50 others.

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 11, 2006
 Report Criticizes Armor Given to U.S. Troops in Iraq A recent study revealing that vulnerabilities in body armor accounted for around 300 of 2200 deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq has sparked a debate over the armor's durability and effectiveness. Two retired military officers discuss the study and their conflicting opinions of body armor used in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 10, 2006
 Iran Resumes Nuclear Processing An Independent Television News report from Iran, where nuclear workers removed U.N. seals from uranium enrichment equipment Tuesday and resumed nuclear research.

  

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 9, 2006
 Suicide Bombers Target Iraqi Ministry; Helicopter Crash Kills 12 Two suicide bombers attacked the Iraqi Ministry compound during celebrations for Iraqi National Police Day Monday, killing at least 29 and injuring 18.

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 5, 2006
 U.N. Scales Back Darfur Effort Fearing Rebel Violence At Chad Border United Nations officials announced the withdrawal of its staff working in the war-ravaged western Sudan region of Darfur on Thursday, following increased fears of violence between rebels at the Chad border.

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 5, 2006
 Former U.S. Officials Discuss Iraq with President Bush Former cabinet members met with President Bush to discuss his administration's strategy in Iraq. Madeleine Albright, secretary of state in the Clinton Administration, and James Schlesinger, secretary of defense in the Nixon and Ford administrations talk about their visit to the White House and their opinions of the war in Iraq.

     

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 5, 2006
 Attacks in Iraq Kill More Than 110 People Including Seven U.S. Soldiers Two suicide bombers killed at least 110 people and wounded more than 200 others in attacks in Iraq Thursday, bringing to 225 the number of people killed in the troubled country since the new year started.

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 4, 2006
 191 U.S. Military Personnel Killed in Afghanistan The Pentagon has confirmed the deaths of 191 American personnel in Afghanistan since the beginning of U.S. military intervention in Oct. 2001. This report details the losses of life suffered by the U.S. in the Afghan war.

  

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 4, 2006
 Deadly Day in Iraq A reporter in Baghdad discusses the latest wave of deadly attacks in Iraq that killed more than 50 Iraqis Wednesday.

  

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 4, 2006
 Attacks Across Iraq Kill At Least 53, Damage Oil Convoy A wave of attacks across Iraq Wednesday killed at least 53 people and wounded more than 40 others in the country's deadliest day of violence since elections on Dec. 15.

 |  |

 |
 | Jan. 2, 2006
 A Renewed Imperial Presidency? Three historians discuss what the furor over President Bush's domestic intelligence program says about the centuries-old battle over presidential powers in times of war.

  

 |  |
 |