2005 DECEMBER
Dec. 30, 2005

Rise and Fall of Jack Abramoff
A Washington Post reporter discusses the background of Jack Abramoff, a Washington lobbyist at the center of a far-reaching congressional corruption scandal.

  

Dec. 30, 2005

Shields and Brooks Discuss 2005
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss Jack Abramoff's legal troubles, the winners and losers of 2005 and the year's most significant events, including Hurricane Katrina and the rise of political Islam.

  

Dec. 29, 2005

Uncovering the Past in Guatemala
A report on unearthing the remains of victims of Guatemala's civil war.

Dec. 29, 2005

Syria Refutes International Criticism
Syrian authorities launched a public relations campaign to improve the country's tainted image following international allegations linking top Syrian officials to recent assassinations.

  

Dec. 29, 2005

Iraq Election Aftermath
An independent body agreed to review allegations of voter fraud in Iraq's parliamentary elections on Dec. 15 after Sunnis and secular Shiites protested preliminary results that gave a lead to a religious Shiite alliance. A reporter provides an update on the election and recent outbreaks of violence in Iraq.

  

Dec. 23, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss Congress' last-minute action on the Patriot Act, the domestic surveillance controversy and other political developments of the week.

  

Dec. 22, 2005

Patriot Act Squabble
The House on Thursday passed a one-month extension of the USA Patriot Act, following the Senate's six-month extension, forcing the Senate back into session Thursday evening. An expert discusses Congress' actions and the fate of the act.

  

Dec. 21, 2005

Senate Showdown Over Budget, Drilling in ANWR
In last minute votes on Wednesday, the Senate approved a bill to trim spending on social programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and student loans but rejected a military spending bill that included a controversial provision to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

  

Dec. 20, 2005

Political Shift in Bolivia
Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia Sunday. He has vowed to reverse a campaign financed by the U.S. to wipe out coca growing and to improve economic conditions in the poor country. Following a background report, two experts discuss Morales' victory and the rise of populist leaders in Latin America.

  

Dec. 19, 2005

The NSA & Domestic Surveillance
In response to a barrage of criticism, President Bush said Monday he did not break the law when he authorized spying on Americans suspected of ties to terrorism. Following a background report, two senators discuss the use of domestic surveillance in the anti-terrorism effort.

  

Dec. 19, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss presidential power amid revelations of domestic surveillance, along with the administration's efforts to bolster support for the war on Iraq.

  

Dec. 16, 2005

Shields and Brooks Analyze President's Speech
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Jim Lehrer to discuss President Bush's response to questions about his strategy in Iraq, his recent reversal on torture policy and a claim that he authorized the National Security Agency to monitor Americans without a court warrant.

  

Dec. 15, 2005

Iraq Votes
Millions of Iraqis voted for a new government Thursday. Officials reported a large turnout, despite scattered violence. A reporter provides an update from Baghdad.

  

Dec. 15, 2005

Farewell William Proxmire
A look back at the life of Sen. William Proxmire, D-Wis., who died Thursday at the age of 90.

Dec. 14, 2005

Extended Session for Congress
Disputes on several key bills have kept Congress in session much longer than usual. A congressional scholar explains sticking points in the Patriot Act, defense appropriations bills, the budget and tax bills.

Dec. 14, 2005

Iraqis Vote for Parliament
Iraqis will head to the polls Thursday to vote on the country's first permanent parliament.

Dec. 14, 2005

Parliamentary Elections in Iraq
The stakes are high as Iraqis head to the polls to vote on the country's first permanent parliament. Experts debate what impact the elections might have on the attempt to build a democracy in the war torn country.

  

Dec. 13, 2005

USA Patriot Act Debate
Congress remains divided over renewing sections of the controversial Patriot Act, a bill that allows access to personal records in terrorism cases but critics say infringes on civil liberties. Two senators discuss their differing views of the Patriot Act.

  

Dec. 13, 2005

Jordanian View of Saddam Hussein's Trial
The trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein receives heavy press coverage in the neighboring country of Jordan but many Jordanians question the validity of the court and the involvement of foreigners.

  

Dec. 12, 2005

Remembering Eugene McCarthy
Eugene McCarthy, the Minnesota senator who provided a voice in Washington for those opposed to the Vietnam War, died Saturday at the age of 89. Following a background report, a presidential historian discusses Sen. McCarthy's legacy.

Dec. 12, 2005

Iraq's Parliamentary Elections
President Bush delivered a speech emphasizing the need for economic reform and increased security in Iraq and expressed optimism for upcoming elections but said Iraq will continue to face challenges after the vote. After a background report, a reporter discusses the elections and allegations of abuse in Iraqi prisons.

  

Dec. 9, 2005

Strong Words From Iran
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinajad has recently drawn international ire by suggesting that the Holocaust never happened and Israel be moved to Europe. This Independent Television News report details the deep influence of Islam on the leader's ruling style and Islam's general impact on politics in Iran.

  

Dec. 9, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the need for Democrats to develop a clear message on the Iraq war, the confusion over U.S. policy on treatment of terror suspects and the growing concerns over ethics scandals in Congress.

  

Dec. 8, 2005

Tackling Tax Cuts
A report on the tax debate in the House of Representatives that ending with the passage of a Republican bill that extends the 15 percent tax rate for income on capital gains and dividends.

Dec. 7, 2005

Rebuilding Iraq
President Bush spoke to the Council on Foreign Relations Wednesday about rebuilding Iraq. Following excerpts from his speech, a senator and a USAID official overseeing the effort offer their reactions.

  

Dec. 2, 2005

Planting News in the Iraq Media
Allegations that the U.S. military paid Iraqi newspapers to print stories favorable to the U.S. effort has sparked criticism that the military may have subverted its democratic goal for Iraq. Two media experts with opposing views debate the implications.

  

Dec. 2, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss President Bush's strategy in Iraq, the divide among Democrats over a military withdrawal and the resignation of Rep. Randy Cunningham following bribery charges.

  

NOVEMBER
Nov. 30, 2005

President Bush Speaks at the U.S. Naval Academy
President Bush reinforced his strategy in Iraq and rejected calls to set any timetables for a pullout in a speech Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy. Excerpts of the speech follow.

  

Nov. 30, 2005

Senators Discuss Iraq
President Bush on Wednesday defended his strategy in Iraq and pledged to continue the war against terrorism. Two members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee discuss the president's speech on victory in Iraq, the possibilities of withdrawal and changing public opinion towards the war.

  

Nov. 29, 2005

Canada's No Confidence Vote
Canada's Liberal party lost a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons after accusations of corruption. Voters will chose a new parliament on Jan. 23.

  

Nov. 28, 2005

Border Openings Historic Step for Gaza Strip
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat hails an agreement to open several Gaza border crossings that will help foster trade as a historic step towards independence for Palestinians in Gaza.

  

Nov. 25, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week's political news, including the ongoing debate over pulling troops from Iraq.

  

Nov. 24, 2005

Liberia's New President
A report on the challenges awaiting the newly elected president of Liberia, Ellen-Johnson-Sirleaf, and the three and a half million people of her West African country.

  

Nov. 23, 2005

Sharon's New Mission
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's departure from the right-wing Likud Party forced the scheduling Wednesday of new elections in March. Following a background report, two experts discuss the factors driving Sharon's actions and what might come next.

  

Nov. 22, 2005

A New Constitution for Bosnia
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Tuesday that the leaders of Bosnia's three major ethnic groups reached an agreement to overhaul its constitution, 10 years after the Dayton Accords ended the Bosnian war. Richard Holbrooke and one of the principal architects of the Dayton Accords, discusses the situation in Bosnia.

  

Nov. 21, 2005

Debating Iraq War Strategy
Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha's speech calling for the U.S. to withdraw troops from Iraq in the next six months added fire to the debate over the Bush administration's strategy in the war on terror. Following a background report, two experts discuss how Murtha's plan would affect the situation on the ground.

  

Nov. 18, 2005

Analyzing the Budget Cuts
Friday morning, the House narrowly passed a deficit-reduction bill. Congressional expert Norman Ornstein discusses the battle on Capitol Hill over spending and taxes. Then, New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss taxes and spending cuts in the budget.

Nov. 18, 2005

Agreement Opens Borders in Gaza Strip
An agreement on Tuesday between Israel and the Palestinian Authority gave Palestinians control over border crossings in the Gaza Strip. Paul Wolfensohn, the U.N. special envoy, explains the deal.

  

Nov. 18, 2005

White House Deflects Criticism of Iraq War Strategy
The White House defended its strategy in Iraq facing recent criticisms and calls for a withdrawal. Following a background report, New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss the accusations.

  

Nov. 17, 2005

Call for Withdrawal
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a former supporter of the Iraq war, said Thursday that U.S. troops should leave within six months.

  

Nov. 15, 2005

Senate Debates Iraq Exit Strategy
As polls show American support for the war in Iraq declining, some members of the Senate are asking for more information about the U.S. strategy in Iraq, including a possible exit timeline.

  

Nov. 15, 2005

Iraq Questions: Warner and Durbin
Two senators discuss pre-Iraq war intelligence and what lies ahead in Iraq, including possible exit strategies for U.S. forces.

  

Nov. 15, 2005

Iraq Questions: Ahmad Chalabi
Iraqi deputy prime minister Ahmad Chalabi discusses pre-Iraq war intelligence and what lies ahead in Iraq, including prospects for a full transfer of sovereignty to Iraq.

  

Nov. 14, 2005

A New Leader for Liberia
After last week's run-off election in Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is poised to become the Africa's first female leader. Two guests discuss the election and challenges ahead for the West African nation.

  

Nov. 11, 2005

Mark McClellan on Medicare Drug Plan
Health correspondent Susan Dentzer talks with Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about how to navigate the choices in Medicare's new prescription drug plan.

Nov. 11, 2005

Shields and Lowry
Political analysts Mark Shields and Richard Lowry discuss the White House's justification for the war in Iraq after President Bush accused critics of trying to rewrite history concerning the lead-up to the war.

  

Nov. 10, 2005

Spending Priorities
As Congress wrestles with spending priorities and the latest round of budget cuts, two experts discuss the decisions lawmakers face.

  

Nov. 10, 2005

John McCain
U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., discusses the recent bombings in Jordan, winning the Iraq war, and U.S. prisoner abuse policy.

  

Nov. 9, 2005

Election Winners and Losers
November's local elections gave strong victories to Democrats in two gubernatorial races while all four initiatives supported by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California failed. Three guests look at the national implications and what they mean for the future of both parties.

Nov. 9, 2005

Oil Industry Defends Profits
Oil industry executives appeared before the Senate to defend record high third quarter profits and deny accusations of price gouging at the pump.

  

Nov. 8, 2005

Senate Debates Torture Rules
An amendment presented by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, to outlaw torture of detainees in U.S. custody and establish rules for their interrogation, has sparked debate in Congress. Following a background report, two senators on opposite sides of the debate discuss the amendment and possible exemptions for the CIA.

  

Nov. 8, 2005

Government Profile: Iran
The very structure of Iran's government is built upon a foundation split by a power struggle between reformists and Islamic hard-liners.

Nov. 7, 2005

Clues From Virginia
A report on Virginia's closely contested race for governor. Many experts believe the race may offer clues about congressional races in 2006.

Nov. 4, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the debate over the handling of pre-Iraq war intelligence, the arraignment of former vice presidential chief of staff Lewis Libby, and the state of the Alito nomination.

  

Nov. 3, 2005

World Leaders Condemn Iranian President
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent comments against Israel and his decision to fire 40 senior diplomats and ambassadors, many in favor of warmer ties with the West, have drawn sharp criticism from world leaders. Following a background report, two experts discuss the future of Iran under Ahmadinejad.

  

Nov. 2, 2005

The ANWR Drilling Debate
In the past, Senate filibusters have blocked drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As Congress takes up the issue once more, a familiar debate is taking place among activists. Following a background report, two experts discuss drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

  

Nov. 2, 2005

Days of Violence in Iraq
An update on the recent surge of violence in Iraq.

Nov. 1, 2005

The Alito Debate Begins
As the high-stakes battle over the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito gears up, two senators discuss the nominee.

  

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2005

Shields, Lowry and Beschloss
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields, National Review editor Rich Lowry and presidential historian Michael Beschloss discuss President Bush's leadership and performance during recent challenging political situations and his nomination of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  

Oct. 28, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the Libby indictment and Harriet Miers withdrawal as a candidate for the Supreme Court.

  

Oct. 27, 2005

Shields, Brooks and Greenburg
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields, New York Times columnist David Brooks and Chicago Tribune legal correspondent Jan Crawford discuss the ramifications of and reasons behind the Harriet Miers withdrawal.

  

Oct. 26, 2005

Leahy and Specter on Miers
Following a background report, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter and ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy discuss the state of the Harriet Miers Supreme Court nomination.

  

Oct. 25, 2005

Zalmay Khalilzad
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, assesses the official results of the recent Iraq Constitution vote.

  

Oct. 21, 2005

Brooks and Oliphant
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss senators' reactions to Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, Tom DeLay's indictment on charges of money laundering, the CIA leak investigation and the war in Iraq.

  

Oct. 21, 2005

Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas discusses the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the road map to peace and allowing Hamas, an organization that Israel considers a terrorist group, to participate in January's Palestinian elections.

  

Oct. 21, 2005

Syrian Murder Plot
Following a report on the U.N. investigation that implicated Syrian officials in the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February, two experts discuss the details of the plot.

  

Oct. 20, 2005

President Bush Says Prospects Improving for Palestinian State
In a meeting at the Oval Office Thursday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, President Bush praised the leader and said prospects for an independent Palestinian state are stronger than ever before.

Oct. 19, 2005

Questions for Harriet Miers
A report on the status of the Harriet Miers nomination. Senate Judiciary Committee members say they want more information on the Supreme Court nominee.

  

Oct. 19, 2005

The Future of U.S. Policy in Iraq
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's testimony to the Foreign Relations Committee raised questions about the length and direction of U.S. policy in Iraq. Two experts debate the implications of Rice's testimony and future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

  

Oct. 17, 2005

Counting Votes in Iraq
Preliminary results from Saturday's referendum show Iraq's draft constitution heading toward ratification, despite claims of fraud. A reporter in Baghdad provides an update.

  

Oct. 14, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the role of religion in Harriet Miers' nomination as a Supreme Court justice and the political ramifications in the United States of the impending vote on a new constitution in Iraq.

  

Oct. 14, 2005

Critical Vote in Iraq
Iraqis head to the polls Saturday to vote on a draft constitution. Four Middle East experts debate the referendum's importance to peace and stability in Iraq.

  

Oct. 12, 2005

Changes in Iraqi Constitution
After weeks of quarreling, Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders in Iraq settled on last-minute changes in the draft constitution. A professor of history and a former state department officer who advised the chairman of the constitutional committee discuss the new draft up for referendum on Saturday.

  

Oct. 10, 2005

Germany's New Leader
Angela Merkel, the leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Party, became Germany's chancellor after three weeks of negotiations with the former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democratic Party.

  

Oct. 7, 2005

Mao's Influence on China
Nearly three decades after the death of Communist leader Mao Zedong, the "Great Helmsman" is still nearly omnipresent in China.

  

Oct. 7, 2005

Debating the Miers Nomination
Jim Lehrer speaks with NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks about the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the IAEA, President Bush's speech on terrorism and the Senate vote on interrogation limits.

  

Oct. 6, 2005

Senate Sets Interrogation Limits
The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of an amendment to the military spending bill that sets new limits on how the U.S. military may interrogate detainees it is holding after a series of scandals involving Iraqi and other prisoners.

  

Oct. 6, 2005

The CIA Leak Case
President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove has agreed to testify again before a federal grand jury in the case of a CIA agent's leaked identity. A reporter provides an update.

  

Oct. 5, 2005

The African Union in Darfur
Two experts from the humanitarian group Refugees International talk about the ongoing war in the Darfur region of Sudan and the African Union's efforts to bring stability to the region.

  

Oct. 3, 2005

The Miers Nomination
The Senate reaction to President Bush's nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers was mixed, largely because she never served as a judge and her judicial views are almost completely unknown. Two senators assess her nomination.

  

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 30, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, the investigation into stock sales by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Judge John Roberts' confirmation as chief justice of the United States.

  

Sept. 29, 2005

The Iraq War Hearings
A report on the Iraq war hearings presented before the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

  

Sept. 28, 2005

The Tom Delay Indictment
A Texas grand jury indicted House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, on Wednesday in connection with an alleged illegal campaign finance scheme. Two experts discuss the indictment and its impact.

  

Sept. 27, 2005

Sen. Frist's Stock Sales
The Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating the timing of Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist's decision to sell his shares in a hospital company a month before stock values fell.

  

Sept. 23, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the growing federal budget deficit, the John Roberts vote and their thoughts on who might replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

  

Sept. 23, 2005

Sudanese Ambassador to the U.S. Discusses Ongoing Darfur Peace Talks
The Sudanese Ambassador to the United States Khidir Haroun Ahmed discusses the peace talks between his government and rebel groups, the role of the Janjaweed militia and rebels in the ongoing crisis, and Khartoum's plan to return hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians to their homes.

  

Sept. 23, 2005

State Dept. Representative on the Ongoing Darfur Peace Talks
Charles Snyder, the senior representative on Sudan for the U.S. Department of State, discusses the goals of the sixth round of the Darfur peace talks, the roles of the United States and the African Union and plans to resettle civilians displaced by the violence.

  

Sept. 20, 2005

Elections in Afghanistan
An Independent Television News report from Afghanistan about the recent Parliamentary elections.

Sept. 20, 2005

Christopher Hill
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and chief U.S. negotiator with North Korea Christopher Hill talks about North Korea and its nuclear weapons program.

  

Sept. 20, 2005

Finding Money for Katrina
With mounting costs for the Hurricane Katrina clean up falling into the hands of the federal government, politicians began arguing about finding a way to pay for the bill. Following a background report, two guests discuss the economic implications of paying for Katrina.

  

Sept. 19, 2005

Jimmy Carter and James Baker
Former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, co-chairmen of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform, discuss their newly released recommendations for federal election reform.

  

Sept. 19, 2005

Parliamentary Elections Proceed With Few Disruptions
In spite of threats of violence, millions of voters went to the polls across Afghanistan on Sunday, choosing representatives to fill national and provincial legislatures.

Sept. 16, 2005

President Bush's Plan to Rebuild
President Bush's promise for federal government support in planning and financing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts has sparked a debate about the government's role in the Gulf Coast's recovery. Five guests share their views on the president's proposal.

  

Sept. 16, 2005

Brooks and Oliphant
Analysts David Brooks and Tom Oliphant discuss the federal government's role in organizing and financing a plan to rebuild the Gulf Coast as well as the confirmation hearings for chief justice nominee John Roberts.

  

Sept. 15, 2005

Brooks and Oliphant
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant discuss the John Roberts confirmation hearings and preview President Bush's speech on Hurricane Katrina recovery, which is scheduled for Thursday evening.

Sept. 15, 2005

Parliamentary Elections Mark Critical Step for Afghan Government
On Sunday, Afghans will head to the polls for a long-awaited and twice-delayed parliamentary election.

Sept. 9, 2005

Public Opinion After Katrina
Public opinion polls show a drop in public support for all levels of government after their response to Hurricane Katrina.

  

Sept. 9, 2005

FEMA Shakeup
Amid criticism of Michael Brown's qualifications, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced that Thad Allen will replace Brown as head of FEMA's ground operations. After an update from a reporter, two former homeland security employees discuss FEMA's organization and its future after Hurricane Katrina.

  

Sept. 9, 2005

Brooks and Oliphant
Analysts David Brooks and Tom Oliphant discuss low public opinions of all levels of government in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as well as changes in FEMA's leadership and next week's Supreme Court confirmation hearings for John Roberts.

  

Sept. 8, 2005

Congress Approves $52 Billion in Katrina Relief Funds
The House and Senate on Thursday quickly approved an additional $52 billion for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, bringing the total federal cost of the recovery to $62 billion, easily eclipsing spending on any domestic disaster.

Sept. 8, 2005

Katrina Storms Congress
After a background report on the debate in Congress over an additional $51.8 billion to fund disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina, two senators discuss the pending investigation into the federal response to the disaster and the growing debate about how such an investigation should be handled.

  

Sept. 6, 2005

Hurricane Katrina: Political Fallout
President Bush and congressional leaders each announced Tuesday that they would investigate the federal government's highly criticized response to Hurricane Katrina. A report on the political fallout as Congress returned to Washington Tuesday.

  

Sept. 2, 2005

Politics After Katrina
New York Times columnist David Brooks, Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant and NewsHour essayist and Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page talk about the horrific events following Hurricane Katrina, including the possible political ramifications of the disaster.

  

AUGUST
Aug. 30, 2005

Politics of Division
Essayist Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune considers race and politics.

Aug. 29, 2005

Senator Patrick Leahy
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont expressed concern over lost documents from John Roberts' Reagan years and discussed his views of the candidate.

Aug. 29, 2005

Constitution Fight in Iraq
Although Iraqi officials approved a draft constitution, many factions around the country are still not satisfied. Following a background report, three experts discuss the fight ahead for lawmakers.

  

Aug. 26, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss Iraq's repeated failures to agree on a draft constitution, waning support for the Iraq war at home and recent military base closures.

  

Aug. 25, 2005

Tension Over Oil in Nigeria
Following his recent trip to Africa, NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses the tensions and violence rising in Nigeria as Shell Oil seeks the rights to drill there.

Aug. 25, 2005

Iraq's Constitution Struggle
The Iraqi National Assembly failed to meet a self-imposed midnight deadline to present a draft constitution. Talks reached an impasse after Shiite and Sunni leaders could not resolve differences, particularly over the issue of federalism. A New York Times reporter gives an update from Baghdad.

  

Aug. 24, 2005

Senator Arlen Specter
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., says he will ask Supreme Court justice nominee John Roberts dignified, appropriate and probing questions about such topics as the role of precedent, the separation of governmental powers and the abortion issue.

  

Aug. 22, 2005

No Final Vote Yet in Iraq
After struggling for weeks and missing one major deadline, Iraqi leaders again put off a final vote on the new constitution. A Time Magazine reporter provides some background from Baghdad.

  

Aug. 22, 2005

Iraqi Constitution Struggle
After struggling for weeks and missing one major deadline, Iraqi leaders put off a final vote today on the new constitution. Three experts discuss the ramifications.

  

Aug. 19, 2005

The Next Step for Gaza
The Israeli Army has begun demolishing evacuated houses and dismantling checkpoints in Gaza, but a peaceful transition of land to the Palestinians and the future of the Gaza strip remain in limbo.

  

Aug. 19, 2005

Oliphant and Kristol
Tom Oliphant and Bill Kristol analyze what the newly released writings of Supreme Court justice nominee John Roberts reveal, and the ongoing campaign in Texas by mothers of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq.

  

Aug. 18, 2005

The Gaza Pullout
A report on the continuing Israeli evacuation of Gaza, where for the second day in a row, Israeli troops had to physically remove residents and protesters.

Aug. 17, 2005

Unsettling Gaza
Israeli soldiers began forcibly removing Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Wednesday. An Israeli military general discusses the eviction process.

  

Aug. 16, 2005

Iraq's Constitutional Process
Iraqi officials delayed the drafting of their inaugural constitution until next week. Following a background report, a former State Department lawyer, who has been a legal adviser in Iraq, discusses the decision to extend the deadline.

Aug. 16, 2005

The Continuing Gaza Pullout
As Wednesday's midnight deadline approaches, Jewish settlers continue to evacuate from their homes in Gaza. Many of the Israelis protesting the pullout in the Gaza's largest settlement, Neveh Dekalim, are younger and more radical than older generations.

  

Aug. 15, 2005

Iraqi Constitution
Iraqi lawmakers missed the Monday deadline to submit a new draft constitution, but parliament voted unanimously to extend the deadline by a week to Aug. 22. A New York Times reporter provides an update.

  

Aug. 15, 2005

Gaza Withdrawal
The Israeli government began its planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip Monday amid mass protests from defiant Jewish settlers. Two Midde East experts discuss the impact of the Gaza withdrawal on the Israelis and Palestinians who live there.

Aug. 12, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the declining support of the war in Iraq and whether the United States has a plan to defeat the insurgency.

  

Aug. 10, 2005

Transportation Bill
President Bush signed a $286.4 billion transportation bill Wednesday, which includes money for projects around the country. Following a background report, an expert discusses the bill's contents and the politics behind it.

  

Aug. 9, 2005

Town Mourns Fallen Marines
The town of Brook Park, Ohio, was devastated in August by the deaths of 20 Marines killed in Iraq. The mostly blue-collar town near Cleveland is remembering its fallen soldiers in a memorial, where parents, siblings, friends and family, many with strong views on U.S. policy in Iraq, come to pay tribute.

  

Aug. 5, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the recess appointment of John Bolton as the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, mounting casualties in Iraq and other developments in the political arena.

  

Aug. 2, 2005

Death of Sudan's Vice President
Following the death of Sudan's Vice President John Garang in a helicopter crash Sunday, at least 24 people died in demonstrations over his death. We have a background report from Independent Television News.

  

Aug. 2, 2005

Iran's Nuclear Program
Iran announced plans Tuesday to resume its nuclear program, despite a warning from European nations to halt uranium enrichment. Experts discuss Iran's decision and what this means for European and U.S. relations with the country.

  

Aug. 1, 2005

Saudi King Fahd Dies
Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, died Monday at age 84. Following a background report, two experts discuss the late king's legacy and what lies ahead for for Saudi Arabia.

  

JULY
July 29, 2005

Senate Passes Energy Bill
The Senate passed a $14.5 billion energy bill Friday that includes tax breaks and other incentives to encourage increased domestic production of energy.

  

July 29, 2005

Energy Bill Impact
Congress Friday passed a sweeping energy bill that provides billions in tax breaks and other incentives to boost domestic production from traditional and alternative sources. Experts discuss the positives and negatives of the bill.

  

July 29, 2005

Stem Cell Research
The controversial field of stem cell research gained political backing Friday as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday he would back broader federal funding for the research, a split from President Bush's stance on the subject.

  

July 29, 2005

Rush to Recess
Congress pushes a series of legislation through, including the passage of a new energy bill and highway spending bill Friday, as it prepares for the month-long August recess.

July 29, 2005

Shields and Ponnuru
Syndicated Columnist Mark Shields and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru discuss the passage of the new energy bill, CAFTA, the gun liability bill and the ongoing labor union dispute.

  

July 28, 2005

Peace Move for the IRA
Two Independent Television News reports on the Irish Republican Army's decision to disarm and work to end British rule in Northern Ireland through political means.

July 28, 2005

Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discusses developments in Iraq, negotiations with North Korea and the effect recent attacks in London and Egypt are having on the U.S.

  

July 27, 2005

Senate Gun Industry Debate
The Senate on Wednesday began debating a bill to protect the gun industry from potential lawsuits arising from the misuse of its weapons.

  

July 27, 2005

The Battle Over CAFTA
President Bush visited Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge lawmakers to pass the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which some legislators fear will threaten jobs. Experts make the case for and against the trade agreement.

July 27, 2005

Update: Iraq
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld urged Iraqi lawmakers to draft a constitution by the Aug. 15 deadline. A New York Times reporter provides an update.

  

July 22, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the nomination of federal appeals court judge John Roberts Jr. to the Supreme Court and Senate Democrats' reaction to the nomination.

  

July 21, 2005

Renewing the Patriot Act
The House of Representative met Thursday to vote on renewing the Patriot Act with some minor changes designed to increase judicial and political oversight of some of its most controversial provisions.

  

July 21, 2005

British Press Conference
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard spoke at a press conference Thursday, addressing the second bombing attack in downtown London in the past two weeks.

  

July 20, 2005

Newsmaker: Charles Schumer
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, speaks about Supreme Court nominee John Roberts Jr.'s legal record, possible questions during the confirmation hearings and the potential of a filibuster.

  

July 20, 2005

Republicans Hail Supreme Court Nominee; Democrats Cautious
The Supreme Court handed down two Internet-related decisions on its last day of the session Monday, one dealing a blow to companies that encourage file-sharing and the other impacting high-speed Internet access over cable lines.

July 19, 2005

Mr. Bush's High Court Nominee
President Bush nominated solidly conservative judge John Roberts Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to the first vacancy on the Supreme Court in more than a decade. Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, discuss the president's selection.

July 19, 2005

Renewing the Patriot Act
President Bush is urging lawmakers to renew 16 surveillance provisions of the Patriot Act set to expire at the end of the year, while critics continue to charge the provisions violate civil liberties. Following a background report, two legal analysts discuss the debate that has begun in Congress.

  

July 18, 2005

Ken Mehlman
Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman discusses the current state of the Republican Party, the controversy surrounding White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, the Bush administration's relationship with the NAACP and the upcoming Supreme Court nomination battle.

  

July 18, 2005

Gaza Strip Challenges
The Israel government deployed 20,000 troops to block protesters -- opposed to plans to withdraw from Jewish settlements -- from marching into Gaza. Analysts discuss the challenges facing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as the ceasefire agreement seems in danger of breaking down.

July 15, 2005

Under Pressure
The Karl Rove controversy heats up as the Senate proposed amendments to the homeland security spending bill Friday as to who has access to classified information.

  

July 15, 2005

Supreme Court Battle
President Bush has yet to name a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but Capitol Hill is already speculating who the nominee will be. Following a report on political maneuvering in Washington, Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the state of play.

  

July 13, 2005

Under Pressure
White House senior aide Karl Rove is at the center of a growing controversy over the source who outed CIA agent Valerie Plame to Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper.

  

July 11, 2005

Push for Democracy
Egypt will hold its first multiparty elections in the fall, one example of their movement toward democracy and reform, but critics are skeptical of whether the elections will truly be democratic.

  

July 11, 2005

Public Broadcasting Hearings
A Senate subcommittee held hearings Monday on the future of funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and alleged biases in PBS programming.

  

July 8, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the political impact of the London bombings, the controversy surrounding presidential advisor Karl Rove and rumors of a second, or third, Supreme Court vacancy.

  

July 6, 2005

The Next Supreme Court Nominee
Sens. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discuss the upcoming confirmation battle over who should replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

  

July 6, 2005

Balancing Act
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces an uphill battle to push through three initiatives in a special election this fall as poll results show his early popularity has plummeted.

  

July 5, 2005

Climate Tension Discussion
As President Bush heads to the three-day G-8 summit Tuesday, experts discuss possible solutions to international climate change, an issue that will be brought up at the summit.

  

July 1, 2005

Shields and Ponnuru
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru discuss Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement and the other political news of the week.

  

JUNE
June 30, 2005

Senate Debates Central America Free Trade Agreement
The Senate is slated Wednesday to vote on the much-debated Central American Free Trade Agreement, which would open the markets of six South American nations to the United States. A look at the conflict over CAFTA.

June 30, 2005

Bush Accepts Reforms to Intelligence Agencies
President Bush announced Wednesday a new set of changes to the intelligence community, including the creation of a domestic intelligence unit within the FBI and a national weapons counter-proliferation center.

  

June 28, 2005

Senate Passes Comprehensive, $16 Billion Energy Bill
The Senate passed an energy bill Tuesday that would double the use of corn-blended ethanol, bolster electricity grid reliability and offer $16 billion in tax breaks and incentives to improve domestic production. The House passed a separate energy bill in April.

  

June 28, 2005

Oliphant and Lowry Discuss President Bush's Address to the Nation About Iraq
In a prelude to President Bush's speech to the nation about the war in Iraq at a military installation in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant and National Review editor Rich Lowry discuss what the president hopes to accomplish in his address as public support for the war continues to wane.

June 27, 2005

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Victory in Iran's Presidential Runoff Election
Since his historic election Friday, the president-elect of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has pledged to govern as a moderate and sworn Iran would continue its nuclear program. Two regional experts assess the rise of this relative unknown mayor of Tehran.

  

June 24, 2005

Oliphant and Lowry Discuss War in Iraq, Karl Rove's Statement About Liberals
Boston Globe columnist Tom Oliphant and National Review Editor Rich Lowry discuss the Senate deadlock over the nomination of John Bolton, controversial comments from top presidential advisor Karl Rove and other news.

  

June 24, 2005

Interior Ministry Announces Tehran Mayor is the Early Leader in Iran's Run
The polls officially closed in Iran and preliminary election results from the interior ministry indicate that Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is leading former two-term president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani by a wide margin to become the country's next president.

  

June 23, 2005

New U.S. Trade Chief Discusses China, CAFTA
Rob Portman, the new trade representative, discusses the U.S. trade deficit with China and the controversial Central America Free Trade Agreement.

  

June 23, 2005

Iranians Go to the Polls to Elect a Next President
Lindsey Hilsum of ITN gives a preview of Friday's run-off election in Iran between former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and conservative opponent Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

  

June 22, 2005

Energy Bill Debate
The Senate on Wednesday agreed to voluntary emissions reductions, rather than mandatory cuts, while debating a broader energy bill. Following a background report, analysts discuss the pros and cons of the energy bill and the next step for the Senate.

  

June 22, 2005

Howard Dean Discusses Future of Democratic Party
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean speaks about a report the DNC released about voting irregularities that occurred in last year's presidential election in Ohio, the future of the Democratic Party and his controversial statements about the Republican Party.

  

June 21, 2005

Vietnamese Prime Minister Visits President Bush on Request to Join WTO
For the first time since the end of the Vietnam War, a Vietnamese leader visited the White House. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai met with President Bush to speak about Vietnam's request to be a member of the World Trade Organization and a possible visit by the president to the island nation next year.

  

June 20, 2005

Anti-Syria Opposition Alliance Declares Victory in Parliamentary Elections
The anti-Syrian alliance proclaimed victory Monday in Lebanon's elections where the opposition party led by Saad Hariri, son of the late former prime minister Rafik Hariri, won a clear majority in parliament. Experts discuss the election results and Lebanon's future.

  

June 17, 2005

Shields and Brooks Discuss the War in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the public's reaction to the war in Iraq, President Bush's domestic policy and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin's comments regarding Guantanamo Bay.

  

June 16, 2005

Iran Votes
Eight candidates are running in Iran's presidential election Friday. Independent Television News reporter Lindsey Hilsum reports on the upcoming elections.

June 16, 2005

Text of Downing Street Memo
The Times of London reported on May 1, 2005 about a 2002 confidential British memo describing how President Bush built his case for the Iraq war. The following is the text of the document, dubbed the "Downing Street memo" after the address of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office.

June 16, 2005

Text of Downing Street Memo
The Times of London reported on May 1, 2005 about a 2002 confidential British memo describing how President Bush built his case for the Iraq war. The following is the text of the document, dubbed the "Downing Street memo."

June 14, 2005

Long-Stalled Energy Bill Hits Senate Floor
The Senate began floor debate Tuesday over a broad energy bill the House of Representatives passed in April earlier this year.

  

June 13, 2005

Senate Votes on Apology for Lack of Lynching Legislation
The U.S. Senate voted on a resolution officially apologizing to the families of lynching victims for not outlawing lynching as a federal crime.

  

June 10, 2005

Ravaged Region
The violence in Sudan's Darfur region has been labeled "genocide," but little has been done to stop it. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof describes what needs to be done.

  

June 10, 2005

South Korea, U.S. Press North Korea to Resume Nuclear Talks
President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun met Friday to discuss how to deal with North Korea's nuclear program. Two experts on Korean affairs discuss the ramifications of the meeting.

  

June 10, 2005

Analysts Discuss Blair Visit, Dean Comments
Analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss President Bush's meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean's controversial comments about Republicans and other political news.

  

June 9, 2005

New Report Endorses New Ways to Promote Democracy in the Middle East
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Republican Minnesota Rep. Vin Weber discuss their new report about the U.S. policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East and how it should be carried out.

  

June 8, 2005

Big Tobacco Trial
A federal judge Wednesday questioned the Justice Department's decision to require tobacco companies to fund a five-year, $10 billion nationwide stop-smoking program, rather than a recommended 25-year, $130 billion plan.

  

June 8, 2005

Former Iraqi Electricity Minister Discusses Electricity Problems
Former electricity minister, Aiham al-Sammarae, discusses the current climate in Iraq as the new government tackles security issues, insurgency violence and the lack of electricity and power. Al-Sammarae is also taking part in negotiations with two Sunni insurgent groups about ending the violence.

  

June 7, 2005

Tony Blair Discusses U.S. Aid to Africa and the EU Constitution
Leading up to the G-8 Summit in Britain in July, British Prime Minister Tony Blair touts his new plan to fight poverty in African nations and discusses the need for additional U.S. aid on the continent, challenges to the EU constitution and his thoughts on the controversial "Downing Street Memo."

  

June 3, 2005

Massacare of Bosnian Muslims Captured on Videotape
Jonathan Miller of Independent Television News reports on a videotape depicting the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of thousands of Bosnian Muslims.

June 3, 2005

Political Analysts Assess the Week's Political News
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Jim Lehrer to discuss the revelation of Watergate source Deep Throat, the Guantanamo abuse allegations and SEC chairman nominee Christopher Cox.

  

June 3, 2005

Lebanese-Syrian Tensions Continue After Journalist's Death
Ray Suarez speaks with Christian Science Monitor reporter Annia Ciezadlo in Beirut about ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Syria, including the killing of an anti-Syrian journalist.

June 1, 2005

Los Angeles Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa was elected last month as Los Angeles' first Hispanic mayor in over 100 years. The mayor-elect joins Ray Suarez to discuss the challenges he faces in his new role.

  

MAY
May 27, 2005

The Senate Delays U.N. Ambassador Nominee John Bolton Confirmation Vote
The vote to end debate on the nomination of John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations fell four votes short on the Senate floor Thursday night, delaying a final vote on Bolton's confirmation until after the Memorial Day recess.

  

May 27, 2005

Shields and Brooks Discuss John Bolton, the Senate Judicial Compromise and
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Jim Lehrer to discuss the Senate vote to delay John Bolton's nomination to the United Nations, the Senate compromise on judicial nominations and the House bill that would allow federal funding of stem cell research using human embryos.

  

May 26, 2005

Senate Democrats Attempt to Delay Bolton Vote
Until the White House releases classified information about U.N. ambassador designate John Bolton, Democrats have promised to try to delay a vote on the embattled nominee until next month.

May 26, 2005

President Bush Pledges $50 Million in Aid to the Palestinian Authority
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa speaks about Thursday's meeting between President Bush and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In their first ever meeting, President Bush praised Abbas' leadership and pledged $50 million to the Palestinian Authority for construction and housing in the Gaza Strip.

May 25, 2005

Senate Votes to Confirm Judicial Nominee Priscilla Owen
The Senate on Wednesday voted 56-43 mostly along party lines to confirm Priscilla Owen as a judge on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans following Monday's compromise in which Democrats retained the right to future filibusters.

  

May 24, 2005

Senate Compromise Ends Filibuster Showdown
A Senate showdown over barring filibusters for judicial nominees was averted Monday when 14 Republicans and Democrats forged a last-minute compromise.

May 24, 2005

Senate Agrees to Filibuster Compromise
After years of contentious debate and deadlocks, the Senate agreed to vote on the nomination of Priscilla Owen to the U.S. appeals court. This action followed Monday's compromise in which Democrats retained the right to filibuster under "extraordinary circumstances." Four senators discuss the decision.

  

May 24, 2005

Political Analysts Discuss Senate Filibuster Compromise
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Jim Lehrer to discuss the political implications of the Senate compromise on judicial nominations.

May 23, 2005

Afghan Turmoil
Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited President Bush at the White House Monday, where the two leaders discussed the reported maltreatment of Afghan detainees, the spread of poppy cultivation and the autonomy of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

  

May 23, 2005

Congress Poised to Debate Modification to Federal Stem Cell Rules
A House bill that would allow federal funding of stem cell research using human embryos donated by fertility clinics that would otherwise discard them has sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill. Two U.S. representatives debate the bill.

  

May 23, 2005

A Frontline Report on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program
The NewsHour presents an excerpt of reporter Paul Kenyon's Frontline report on the Iranian nuclear weapons program.

May 20, 2005

Shields and Brooks Discuss Nuclear Option that Looms in the Senate
Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the impending Senate confrontation over the use of the filibuster to oppose judicial nominee Priscilla Owen and other judicial nominations.

  

May 19, 2005

Senate Debate Over Judicial Nominees Continues
Senate debate over controversial judicial nominee Priscilla Owen entered a second day Thursday. Three analysts discuss public opinion across the country over the filibuster debate.

  

May 18, 2005

Senate Oil-for-Food Probe Points Finger at Foreign Officials, Corporations
The Senate subcommittee investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the U.N. oil-for-food program this week released reports implicating British Parliament Member George Galloway and a number of private corporations of wrongdoing.

  

May 18, 2005

Villaraigosa Becomes First Latino L.A. Mayor in More Than 100 Years
Residents of Los Angeles elected city councilman Antonio Villaraigosa as mayor of the second largest city in America on Tuesday. Villaraigosa, the first Latino mayor in Los Angeles in more than a century, defeated the incumbent James Hahn by an unexpectedly wide margin.

May 18, 2005

Senate Begins Debate over Judicial Nominees
The Senate began debate Wednesday over controversial judicial nominee Priscilla Owen, bringing closer the potential showdown over the use of the filibuster.

  

May 17, 2005

Senate Braces for Potential Showdown Over Judicial Nominees
Talks between Senate Democrats and Republicans over President Bush's judicial nominees broke off late Monday after party leaders failed to reach a compromise for voting on the controversial nominees. An update on the potential Senate showdown.

May 17, 2005

A Frontline Report About Syrians' Views On Lebanon and the United States
The NewsHour presents an excerpt of a Frontline World special broadcast on Damascus and Syrians' views of their country's involvement in Lebanon and fear of reprisals from Washington.

May 16, 2005

Senate Locked Over Filibuster Debate
Talks between Republican and Democratic Senate leaders over President Bush's judicial nominees came to a halt Monday, days before Congress is expected to vote on a controversial proposal to ban judicial filibusters.

  

May 13, 2005

Afghans' Rising Fury
Anti-American protests in Afghanistan continued into the fourth day Friday as nine people were killed in clashes with the local police. The riots have spread throughout the country over a report that U.S. interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay jail defiled the Quran.

  

May 13, 2005

The Senate Standoff Over President Bush's Judicial Nominees
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., urged Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to come to a compromise with Democrats over President Bush's judicial nominees so a "nuclear option" to terminate filibusters can be avoided. A report on the buildup to the Senate showdown over judicial nominations.

May 13, 2005

Shields and Brooks Discuss the Fight Over Judicial Nominees, John Bolton
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's decision to send John Bolton's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to the Senate floor for a vote without an endorsement and the Senate's heated standoff over judicial nominees.

  

May 12, 2005

Bolton Nomination Moves Forward Without Committee Endorsement
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday voted to send the president's nomination of John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to the Senate floor for a full vote, but declined to recommend whether the nominee should be approved. Two senators from the committee discuss the issue.

  

May 11, 2005

Two Federal Judges Describe Their Confirmation Hearing Experiences
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has announced plans to bring the first of President Bush's judicial nominations to the Senate floor for a vote. Two judges describe their own confirmation hearing experiences and weigh in on the current nomination battle.

  

May 10, 2005

President Bush Praises the Georgian Republic's Role in Spread of Democracy
After taking part in ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Russia, President Bush delivered a speech at Freedom Square in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and praised the ex-Soviet republic as a model for democratic revolution. Experts discuss the growing pains for three former Soviet republics.

  

May 9, 2005

The U.S.-Russian Relationship
President Bush joined Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. Bush also became the first U.S. president to visit the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia. Experts discuss Bush's presence in Moscow and the state of the U.S.-Russian relationship.

  

May 6, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks speak with Alec Russell, Washington correspondent for the Daily Telegraph in London, about the reelection of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his party's diminished majority.

  

May 6, 2005

British Prime Minister Blair Wins Historic Third Term
British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a historic third successive term in office, but with a significantly smaller parliamentary majority for his Labour Party due to voter backlash over his support of the war in Iraq.

May 5, 2005

Prime Minister Tony Blair Holds Early Lead in U.K. Election Polls
Citizens in the United Kingdom headed to the polls Thursday in an election likely to re-elect Tony Blair to a historic third term.

May 3, 2005

New Budget Plan Cuts Medicaid Spending
The U.S. House and Senate passed new federal budget plans last week that will cut Medicaid spending by $10 billion over the next five years.

  

May 3, 2005

Congress Moves to Standardize Driver's Licenses
Congress voted to set strict national standards on requirements for receiving a driver's license after the 9/11 Commission found that all 19 hijackers used valid state-issued licenses.

  

APRIL
April 29, 2005

Congress Approves a New $2.6 Trillion Budget for 2006
Congress this week approved a $2.6 trillion budget plan for 2006, which calls for new tax cuts and spending reductions in the next five years.

April 29, 2005

U.S.-South American Relations Explored
In the wake of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to South America this week, two regional experts discuss the sometimes tense relationship between the United States and South American nations.

  

April 29, 2005

Columnists Debate DeLay, Social Security
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review editor Rich Lowry join Jim Lehrer to discuss the House ethics battle, President Bush's plan for Social Security and the GOP proposal to ban filibusters for judicial nominees.

  

April 28, 2005

Iraq's National Assembly Approves Partial Cabinet
Iraq's National Assembly approved a new government Thursday after nearly three months of political wrangling. The 37-member cabinet still has two vacancies and interim premier Ibrahim al-Jaafari told reporters that decisions would be made on the vacancies in the next three to four days.

  

April 27, 2005

Darfur Update
The African Union is seeking to bolster its presence in the troubled western Sudanese region of Darfur. Fred de Sam Lazaro of Minnesota's Twin Cities Public Television reports on the ongoing violence in Darfur.

  

April 27, 2005

House Speaker Dennis Hastert Seeks to Retract Ethics Rule Changes
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said Wednesday that he is prepared to retract controversial ethics rules passed earlier in the year aimed at shielding House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. Two journalists who have been covering the debate discuss the ethics issue.

  

April 26, 2005

President Bush Shows Support to Embattled DeLay
President Bush was joined by embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay at a Social Security event in their home state of Texas Tuesday. Afterward, the president praised Delay and in a show of support gave the congressman a ride back to Washington on Air Force One. Kwame Holman gives an update on DeLay's ongoing ethics troubles.

  

April 25, 2005

The Growing Tension Between Venezuela and the United States
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday abruptly terminated a military exchange program with the United States and ordered five U.S. officers returned home. This actions comes as uneasy relations between both countries persist over oil and Venezuela's relationship with Cuba.

  

April 25, 2005

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Criticizes Blocking Judicial Nominees
On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., delivered a taped speech to a nationwide broadcast in which Christian conservatives, during other segments, attacked Democratic senators for blocking judicial nominees described in the program as "people of faith."

April 25, 2005

Majority Leader Bill Frist Threatens to Change Senate Filibuster Rules
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist spoke to a conservative Christian coalition in Kentucky in an effort to get an up or down vote on President Bush's judicial nominees. Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., discuss the Republicans' plan to cut off the Democratic filibuster and a potential Senate shutdown.

  

April 22, 2005

Mark Shields and David Brooks Discuss the Week's Political News
Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the Republicans' proposal to change Senate rules by banning judicial filibusters, the president's Social Security plan and John Bolton's nomination as U.N. ambassador.

  

April 21, 2005

Images of Disaster
A former Marine Capt., who recently spent six months in Sudan's Darfur, discusses the violence in the region he captured through a camera lens.

  

April 21, 2005

Amtrak Asks Congress to Aid Money Woes
Amtrak, already facing steep money woes after suspending its high-speed Acela service for months due to brake problems, asked Congress Thursday for a 50 percent increase in subsidies to keep its trains running.

  

April 21, 2005

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Two of President Bush's Nominees
The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday approved two of President Bush's controversial judicial nominees, setting up a confrontation between the Republican majority and Democrats who can use filibusters to block nominations.

April 20, 2005

Senate Committee Delays Bolton Confirmation Vote
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed voting on the embattled nomination of John Bolton as U.N. ambassador to review allegations of misdeeds. Kwame Holman reports on the continuing controversy.

  

April 18, 2005

Republican Senators Lobby to End Filibuster on Judicial Nominees
Republican senators are lobbying to end the practice of filibustering, saying Democrats will use the tactic to defeat President Bush's judicial nominations. Kwame Holman reports on the Senate debate.

  

April 15, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks speak about House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and the Senate Republicans' proposal to use a "nuclear option" to ban filibusters in judicial nominations.

  

April 11, 2005

President Bush Warns Israel Against Building New Settlements in the West Bank
In meetings Monday with President Bush, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reiterated his promise to remove unauthorized Jewish settlements and Mr. Bush prodded both sides to work together to improve the daily life of Palestinians.

  

April 8, 2005

Brooks and Meyerson
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson discuss the formation of an Iraqi government, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ethics scandals and the pope's funeral.

  

April 6, 2005

Challenges in China
Two members of Congress who recently traveled to China discuss the country's growing economic power, the U.S. trade deficit, and human rights issues.

  

April 6, 2005

Iraqi National Assembly Elects Kurdish Leader Jalal Talabani as New President
The Iraqi National Assembly on Wednesday elected Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani as the new president and Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite, and Ghazi al-Yawer, a Sunni Arab, as vice presidents.

  

April 5, 2005

Crisis in the Congo
Increased fighting between warring factions in the Democratic Republic of Congo has left an estimated 1.8 million people homeless, a crisis the UN has named one of the world's worst.

  

April 4, 2005

Former House Majority Leader Delay Resigns From Congress
Dogged by an ongoing corruption investigation, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, once viewed as one of the most powerful Republicans in Washington, announced he was resigning his seat and would not run again this fall.

April 1, 2005

The Problems Facing House Republican Leader Tom Delay
A report on the troubles of House Republican Leader Tom DeLay of Texas over allegations of fund-raising irregularities and his vocal presence in the case of severely brain-damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo.

  

April 1, 2005

Shields and Lowry
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review editor Rich Lowry discuss the political troubles surrounding House Republican Leader Tom Delay and the presidential commission's report on pre-war Iraq intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction.

  

MARCH
March 30, 2005

Election Tension in Zimbabwe
On the eve of elections in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe ends his reelection campaign amid charges of fraud and a national food shortage.

  

March 30, 2005

Iraqi Assembly Fails to Elect Speaker Showing Nation's Political Rifts
The new Iraqi assembly failed to elect a speaker to head the body at a Baghdad meeting Tuesday. Two regional experts discuss the political stalemate.

  

March 25, 2005

Opposition Parties in Kyrgyzstan Name a New Acting President
Opposition parties in Kyrgyzstan named an acting president Friday, one day after staging a lightning coup that displaced the government. A report and analysis about the political situation in the central Asian country.

March 25, 2005

Shields and Brooks
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the Terri Schiavo case, the president's Social Security plan and possible 2008 presidential candidates.