Politics 2007 Archive | PBS NewsHour

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	2007 DECEMBER Dec. 31, 2007 Hundreds Dead as Election Riots Flare in Kenya Mwai Kibaki was sworn in Sunday as Kenya's president after three days of violent riots following last week's controversial elections. A Kenyan elections observer and an official from the National Democratic Institute provide insight on the conflict.

	Dec. 31, 2007 2007 Marks Deadly Year for U.S. Forces in Iraq A suicide bomb killed at least 12 Iraqis at a security checkpoint north of Baghdad on Monday, as news emerged that 2007 was the deadliest year for U.S. soldiers in Iraq since the war started, despite an overall drop in Iraqi violence.

	Dec. 31, 2007 Bhutto Aides, Pakistan Officials Feud Over Cause of Death Aides to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto say poor security caused her death, while authorities claim otherwise. Independent Television News presents a report on new video evidence and inconclusive medical reports, which have emboldened the controversy.

	Dec. 31, 2007 Candidates, Voters Prepare For Critical Iowa Caucus The 2008 primary election season kicks off with Iowa's Thursday caucus, as presidential candidates make their final efforts to sway voters. NewsHour Senior Correspondent Judy Woodruff reports from Des Moines on the final days of the campaign.

	Dec. 31, 2007 Bhutto's Son, Husband to Take Over Pakistan Peoples Party As Pakistan's Election Commission weighs postponing Jan. 8 parliamentary elections amid unrest over opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination, Bhutto's party named her husband and son as its new leaders.

	Dec. 28, 2007 '08 Candidates Speak Out on Pakistan, Prepare for Iowa After a report on how presidential candidates are responding to the week's events in Pakistan, analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks consider the news of the week, including the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the upcoming Iowa caucuses.

	Dec. 28, 2007 U.S. Faces Pakistan Policy Dilemmas After Bhutto's Death In the aftermath of the death of political opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan faces new turmoil and the United States faces tough choices in its policies toward the South Asian nation. Policy experts examine the ramifications of Bhutto's death on Pakistan's governance and the future for Pakistani-U.S. relations.

	Dec. 28, 2007 Pakistan On Edge After Bhutto's Assassination In the wake of political leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination Thursday, parts of Pakistan have seen rioting and chaos, while tensions run high throughout the country. Two ITN correspondents in Pakistan report on the aftermath of Bhutto's death.

	Dec. 28, 2007 Win Early or Go Long? '08 Calendar Forces New Innovations After years of planning and months of campaigning, Republican and Democratic candidates now face a brutal five-month run where voters in some 30 states will decide which standard-bearer will be their party's nominee for the White House.

	Dec. 28, 2007 South Africa's New Ruling Party Leader Zuma Charged with Corruption In a yet another twist to South Africa's political scene, Jacob Zuma, the recently elected leader of the country's ruling party, has been charged in a corruption case that could jeopardize his chances of becoming president.

	Dec. 28, 2007 Mourning, Violence as Bhutto Is Buried Benazir Bhutto was buried Friday at her family's mausoleum in her southern home province of Sindh, one day after the Pakistani opposition leader was killed in a gun and suicide bomb attack at an election rally.

	Dec. 27, 2007 Pakistan in Uproar After Bhutto Assassination Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in an attack that killed at least 20 others, plunging the nuclear-armed country into fresh turmoil less than two weeks before highly-anticipated elections.

	Dec. 27, 2007 Assassination Raises Fears of Renewed Turmoil in Pakistan World leaders condemned the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday, saying her death was an attack on democratic reforms and civic society in the restive South Asian nation. Regional experts examine what her death may mean for Pakistan's political future.

	Dec. 27, 2007 Suicide Attack Ends Benazir Bhutto's Controversial Life After a look at recent NewsHour interviews with Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan experts and former colleagues of the late prime minister reflect on her political career, including her election as the youngest and first female Pakistan prime minister in 1988.

	Dec. 27, 2007 Pakistani Ambassador Durrani: Bhutto Had 'Best Protection Possible' Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Mahmud Ali Durrani reiterated his government's reaction to Thursday's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, calling her death the work of Islamic extremists.

	Dec. 27, 2007 Pakistani Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto Assassinated Opposition leader and former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack on Thursday just moments after addressing supporters at a rally in Rawalpindi. A reporter in Pakistan details the events leading to the assassination and the reaction on the Pakistani streets.

	Dec. 26, 2007 Polls Gauge Voter Sentiment Before Primary Season Kicks Off After a holiday break, election campaigns resumed Wednesday as candidates try to sway still-undecided voters before the critical Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary next week. Pollsters from each state examine the latest data in the 2008 presidential race.

	Dec. 25, 2007 Democratic Candidates Discuss Health Care Proposals in Forums Recently several Democratic candidates participated in a series of NewsHour forums on health care policy. NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer reports the results.

	Dec. 24, 2007 Religion Becoming Political Tool and Hot Topic in Presidential Race From Mitt Romney's Mormonism to Mike Huckabee's Baptist roots, religion has become a popular topic throughout the busy 2008 presidential election race. Ray Suarez sits down with political and religious scholars to compare this season to those of the past.

	Dec. 24, 2007 Candidates Take a Breather Most of the candidates for the presidential primaries are taking a few days off from the campaign trail this Christmas, but the Iowa and New Hampshire news still buzzes with primary fever. The NewsHour talks to two media veterans of political campaigns about the situation.

	Dec. 24, 2007 Palestinians Protest Settlement Plans as Stormy Peace Talks Continue A second round of negotiations between Palestinian and Israeli officials was overshadowed Monday by Palestinian threats not to address substantive issues until Israel agrees to stop settlement construction around Jerusalem.

	Dec. 24, 2007 Uzbek Strongman Cruises to Re-election in Questionable Vote Despite criticism by many Western governments of vote rigging and oppression of political opposition, Uzbekistan's longtime strongman Islam Karimov cruised to an easy re-election Sunday, garnering more than 88 percent of the vote.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Campaigns Launch Holiday Ads; Dems Assess Year in Power As presidential candidates grappled with shifting polls and new strategies for a condensed primary season, Democrats in Congress squared off with a unified Republican minority over spending priorities. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks examine the week in the news.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Reid Weighs Partisan Divides, Security in Iraq Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., discusses how partisan differences have impacted the pace of recent legislative progress on Capitol Hill, the state of the Iraq war and the next steps for the Democratic-led Congress in an interview with Ray Suarez.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Judge Wary of Ordering Inquiry into CIA Tapes A federal judge appeared hesitant Friday to order an investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes while the Justice Department is conducting its own inquiry into the matter.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Federal Judge Begins Investigation of CIA Tape Destruction In a hearing Friday, a federal judge sought answers on the legality of the 2005 destruction of CIA interrogation tapes. The NewsHour discusses the current investigation of the tapes with Ari Shapiro, justice correspondent for National Public Radio.

	Dec. 21, 2007 Blast Aimed at Musharraf Official Kills at Least 42 A suicide bombing tore through a mosque in northwestern Pakistan Friday, killing at least 42 and injuring some 80 others, Pakistani security officials said.

	Dec. 20, 2007 New S. African Leader Emerges Amid Corruption Controversy South Africa's top prosecutor said that he plans to bring corruption charges against Jacob Zuma, the newly elected leader of the African National Congress. A reporter looks at the man likely to become South Africa's next president.

	Dec. 20, 2007 President Bush Accuses Congress of 'Wasteful Spending' in Earmarks President Bush criticized Congress on Thursday for including thousands of earmarks -- small projects for which lawmakers target funds -- in its spending bills. Fiscal experts explain how Congress intends to use those earmarks and how they affect the overall budget.

	Dec. 20, 2007 U.N.-Backed Talks Deadlock Over Kosovo Status Negotiations led by the U.N. Security Council to determine the future of Kosovo ended in a deadlock Wednesday, with Western diplomats saying talks would continue in European capitals over the fate of the U.N. administered province.

	Dec. 19, 2007 Time Names Russia's Putin 'Person of the Year' in New Sign of Influence Time magazine named Russian President Vladimir Putin its "Person of the Year" Wednesday -- the latest sign of Putin's rise as a key player on the world stage. A Time editor and a policy expert examine Putin's leadership and how he may further influence Russian politics.

	Dec. 19, 2007 McConnell Details Spending Bill Fight, Push for War Funds GOP and Democratic lawmakers have sparred in recent weeks over a massive spending bill that, in addition to funding domestic programs, also seeks to include funds for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., discusses legislative battles on Capitol Hill over spending and energy legislation.

	Dec. 19, 2007 Tancredo Sticks by His Tough Immigration Talk on Campaign Trail For presidential candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., his trademark support for tough immigration policies has nothing to do with race or ethnicity -- it's an issue, he says, that has everything to do with defining what being an American "actually means today."

	Dec. 19, 2007 Former Hyundai Exec Wins S. Korean Presidency Former Hyundai CEO Lee Myung-bak was elected South Korea's president Wednesday, a move that is expected to improve relations with the United States and hold North Korea more accountable for receiving aid.

	Dec. 18, 2007 Turkish Raids Against Kurdish Rebels Add New Tension to Iraq Conflict The Turkish military conducted a raid against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq Tuesday, two days after Turkish airstrikes hit Kurdish targets. After a reporter examines U.S.-Turkish military cooperation, experts consider the background behind the cross-border tensions.

	Dec. 18, 2007 Energy Bill Puts Focus on Fuel Reform The House passed an energy bill Tuesday that sets more demanding fuel efficiency standards for automobiles and calls for increased production of renewable sources of fuel. The bill was passed by the Senate last week. Energy and climate experts assess the tenets and impact of the bill.

	Dec. 18, 2007 Castro Letter Renews Questions over Future Cuban Leadership Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro conceded Monday that he might relinquish some formal leadership posts to make way for a new generation of leaders, a move that raised new speculation about his political future.

	Dec. 18, 2007 Zuma Ousts Mbeki as ANC Leader in South Africa South Africa's ruling African National Congress elected former deputy president Jacob Zuma as its leader Tuesday, making him almost certain to succeed President Thabo Mbeki in 2009.

	Dec. 17, 2007 New Endorsements Help Heat Up '08 Race With just over two weeks before Iowa's presidential caucus, several candidates have picked up key endorsements, including Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain. The chief political columnist for Politico assesses the latest election developments.

	Dec. 17, 2007 In Iowa, GOP Candidates Tout Conservative Values In the second of a series of reports on the tightening presidential race in Iowa as the state's Jan. 3 caucus grows closer, Ray Suarez looks at how Republican candidates are focusing their efforts on courting conservative voters in the state.

	Dec. 14, 2007 Shields and Brooks Mull Iowa Election Push, Baseball Scandal The final Republican and Democratic debates took place in Iowa this week ahead of the state's Jan. 3 caucus, a spending fight continued in Congress and a report brought new focus on the use of steroids in professional baseball. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the events of the week.

	Dec. 14, 2007 Democrats Appeal to Iowans as Polls Show a Tight Race In the first of two reports on voter sentiment in Iowa ahead of the state's early caucus, Judy Woodruff examines how the Democratic candidates are approaching the state's voters and the influence of the women's vote.

	Dec. 14, 2007 $7.4B Pledged to Palestinians at Paris Meeting International donors pledged Monday to support the embattled Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas, pledging billions in aid over three years -- a sum that topped the Palestinians' own expectations.

	Dec. 14, 2007 Senate Passes Energy Bill Without Oil Tax Hikes The Senate passed a pared-down energy bill Thursday night that raises fuel economy standards for the first time in more than three decades and mandates a six-fold boost in ethanol use by 2022.

	Dec. 14, 2007 N. Korea Agrees to Uphold Nuclear Bargain On Thursday, North Korea reportedly responded to a letter President Bush sent earlier this month, saying it would live it up to its obligations to disarm its nuclear weapons program as long as the United States holds up its part of the deal.

	Dec. 13, 2007 Democrats Talk Taxes and Trade in Iowa Debate In their last debate before the key Iowa Caucus on Jan. 3, six of the the Democratic presidential candidates outlined their policies on tax reform and trade in hopes of swaying Iowa voters.

	Dec. 13, 2007 U.N. Envoy Reports on Extent of Myanmar Crackdown A U.N. special envoy on human rights revealed on Tuesday that the force used in the crackdown against anti-government protesters in Myanmar in September may have been more brutal than originally reported.

	Dec. 13, 2007 Pelosi Aims to Set 'New Direction' Amid Legislative Battles Just over a year into her term as House leader in the new Democratic-majority Congress, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D- Calif., discusses the latest developments from Capitol Hill, including spending bill battles, new energy legislation, the controversy over CIA interrogation tapes and U.S. policy on Iran and Iraq.

	Dec. 12, 2007 GOP Candidates Debate in Iowa in Pre-caucus Push The wide field of Republican presidential candidates sparred on the issues in a debate Wednesday, the last such meeting in Iowa before the state's Jan. 3 caucus. Kwame Holman reports on the highlights of the debate.

	Dec. 12, 2007 Attack in Algeria Reopens Country's War Wounds, Stirs Terror Fears Two truck bombs exploded in Algiers, Algeria, Tuesday, causing heavy damage to U.N. offices and killing more than 31. A branch of terror group al-Qaida claimed responsibility. Experts assess what the attacks mean for Algeria, Northern Africa and the West.

	Dec. 12, 2007 Triple Car Bombing in Iraq Disrupts Drop-off in Violence In southern Iraq on Wednesday, a triple car bomb killed as many as 41 people and wounded at least 150, the worst bombing in four months. Damien Cave of the New York Times provides an update from Baghdad.

	Dec. 12, 2007 Peace Talks Resume Amid Violence in Gaza Strip The first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in seven years got off to a shaky start Wednesday after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas restarted the effort at a peace conference two weeks ago in Annapolis, Md.

	Dec. 12, 2007 Tensions Rise in Lebanon after Bomb Kills General A car bomb killed one of Lebanon's top generals and his driver Wednesday, the military and state media said, adding more tension to the country's fragile political situation.

	Dec. 12, 2007 Experts Assess Afghan Security, Reconstruction Since 2001, NATO- and U.S.-led coalition forces have battled Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan with mixed results. In 2007, an estimated 2,600 people have been killed, a 50 percent increase over last year. Martin Howard of NATO and Barnett Rubin of New York University answered your questions.

	Dec. 11, 2007 Putin Offered Key Role in Likely Successor's Government Dmitry Medvedev, the man tapped as the likely successor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, offered the outgoing president a role in his government as prime minister once Putin is constitutionally required to step down in the spring.

	Dec. 11, 2007 Lawmakers Investigate CIA Interrogation Tape Disposal The Senate Intelligence Committee questioned U.S. officials behind closed doors Tuesday about the destruction of CIA tapes of the interrogations of top terror suspects. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., discuss the congressional probe.

	Dec. 10, 2007 Analysts Examine Security, Rebuilding in Afghanistan This year has been the most violent in Afghanistan since the Taliban fell, with more than 130 suicide bombings and more than 2,600 dead. Two analysts discuss the security and rebuilding prospects for the country.

	Dec. 10, 2007 NATO Commander Details Afghanistan Security, Reconstruction This year has been the most violent in Afghanistan since the Taliban fell, with more than 130 suicide bombings and more than 2,600 dead. U.S. Gen. Dan McNeill, the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, discusses efforts to combat Taliban fighters.

	Dec. 10, 2007 Oprah Backs Obama, Huckabee's Star Rises on the Campaign '08 Trail Over the weekend, Oprah Winfrey threw her support behind Democratic candidate Barack Obama, while the GOP's Mike Huckabee has been enjoying a steady rise in the polls. Campaign reporters look at the latest developments in the presidential primary campaigns.

	Dec. 10, 2007 Putin Eyed for PM Role in Likely Successor's Government Dmitry Medvedev, the man tapped as the likely successor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, offered the outgoing president a role in his government as prime minister once Putin is forced to step down in the spring.

	Dec. 7, 2007 Shields and Brooks Weigh CIA Tapes, U.S. Policy on Iran CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden said his agency had destroyed tapes of terror suspect interrogations, a new report revealed surprising information on Iran's nuclear program and presidential candidate Mitt Romney discussed his Mormon faith in a key speech. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week in the news.

	Dec. 7, 2007 CIA Tapes Re-ignite Debate on Interrogation Tactics Congressional Democrats called for an investigation Friday into whether a CIA decision in 2005 to destroy video tapes of the interrogations of two top terror suspects constitutes an obstruction of justice. Analysts offer insight on the potential fallout of the handling of the tapes.

	Dec. 7, 2007 Russian Official Asserts Goal of Nuclear Parity with U.S. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, a possible candidate in the country's upcoming presidential election, said Friday that Russia must be on par with the United States in terms of military and nuclear arms.

	Dec. 6, 2007 In Speech, Romney Attempts to Define Lines Between Religion, Politics Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney confronted the issue of his Mormon faith in a speech Thursday, saying that as president he would "serve no religion." Newsweek editor Jon Meacham offers analysis of the role religion plays in politics.

	Dec. 6, 2007 Economic Experts Weigh Bush's Mortgage Rate Freeze Plan, Housing Crisis President Bush announced a deal with mortgage lenders to freeze interest rates on some subprime mortgages due to move sharply higher soon that he hopes would slow the rate of home foreclosures. Economic analysts assess the value of the proposal and U.S. subprime troubles.

	Dec. 6, 2007 Paulson: No 'Silver Bullet' in Bid to Ease Mortgage Crisis As home foreclosures reached a record high Thursday, President Bush announced a deal with mortgage lenders to freeze interest rates on some subprime mortgages due to move sharply higher soon. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson discusses the details of the proposal.

	Dec. 5, 2007 House Considers Changes to Media-Ownership Rules The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee heard testimony on Wednesday from top FCC officials on whether media companies should be permitted to own both a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market. The NewsHour reports on the proposed rule changes and congressional reaction to the measure.

	Dec. 5, 2007 Negroponte Assesses Iraqi Progress, Intel on Iran's Nukes Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte just returned from a trip to the Middle East where he urged Iraqi lawmakers to push through newly-crafted legislation. In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Negroponte discusses his trip to Iraq and a new intelligence report detailing the limits of Iran's nuclear weapons program.

	Dec. 4, 2007 Iraqi Refugees Find Safe Havens, Uncertain Futures in Sweden Sweden has been a refuge for thousands of Iraqis displaced by the war. NewsHour special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how the country has handled the influx of refugees and what life is like for Iraqis in a new land.

	Dec. 4, 2007 U.S. Policy on Iran Under New Scrutiny after Weapons Report A day after a new intelligence report found that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003, President Bush warned that Iran remains a threat and could restart its weapons program at any time. Two members of the Senate Intelligence Committee discuss the report and U.S. policy on Iran.

	Dec. 3, 2007 Venezuelan Voters Reject Chavez's Bid to Widen Powers Venezuelans voted against expanding the power of President Hugo Chavez and imposing a socialist system in the country in a weekend referendum vote. A former Venezuelan trade minister and a professor of Latin American history assess the impact of the poll.

	Dec. 3, 2007 Presidential Candidates Face Tight Race in Iowa Caucus With just one month to go before Iowa's presidential caucus, candidates are beefing up campaign efforts in the Hawkeye State while see-sawing polls show that some Iowans may still be wavering on their picks. Political reporters look at the polls and campaign tactics.

	Dec. 3, 2007 Iran Halted Nuclear Arms Program in 2003, Report Finds A U.S. National Intelligence Estimate report released Monday found that Iran stopped developing nuclear weapons in 2003, but continues to enrich uranium and could still develop atomic arms in the future. Two intelligence experts discuss the findings and what they may mean for diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S.

	Dec. 3, 2007 Sudanese President Pardons British Teacher A British teacher who was jailed in Sudan for allowing her students to name their class teddy bear "Muhammad" left the country on Monday after she was pardoned by the Sudanese president and released from jail.

	Dec. 3, 2007 Venezuela Rejects Chavez Re-election Bid, Socialist Reforms In a surprising move, Venezuelan voters defeated a referendum over the weekend that would have allowed President Hugo Chavez to run for re-election indefinitely and would have imposed a socialist system in the country.



	NOVEMBER Nov. 30, 2007 Shields and Lowry Weigh Republican Debate, Mideast Summit Republican candidates clashed over immigration issues in a heated debate this week, a U.S.-backed Mideast peace summit was held in Annapolis, Md., and Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., announced he would step down from a 35-year career in Congress by the year's end. Mark Shields and Rich Lowry offer analysis of the week in the news.

	Nov. 30, 2007 Stoppard Play Uses Rock Music to Stage a 'Revolution' Playwright Tom Stoppard's latest work, "Rock'n'Roll," takes a new look at Czechoslovakia's 1989 Velvet Revolution, which toppled the then Soviet-backed Communist government. Jeffrey Brown looks at Stoppard's inspirations and talks to actors about portraying his characters.

	Nov. 29, 2007 Biographers Examine Rice's Role in New Mideast Talks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was a key negotiator in Tuesday's Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md. Three biographers discuss her role in U.S.-Middle East relations and her tenure as the nation's top diplomat.

	Nov. 29, 2007 GOP Candidates Talk Immigration, Iraq, Religion Republican presidential candidates went toe-to-toe with one another in Wednesday night's CNN-YouTube debate with field front-runners Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani trading sharp words on immigration policy. Kwame Holman looks at the Florida debate's highlights.

	Nov. 29, 2007 Now a Civilian Leader, Musharraf Vows to Lift Emergency Rule After stepping down from his post as chief of the army, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was sworn in Thursday as a civilian leader and vowed to lift emergency rule on Dec. 16. A former State Department official and a Pakistani relations expert analyze the changes in Musharraf's government.

	Nov. 28, 2007 Dodd Reflects on Political Experience, State of the U.S. Economy In the latest in a series of in-depth interviews with 2008 presidential candidates, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., reflects on his extensive political experience, why he's chosen to run for the White House in 2008 and the volatile state of the U.S. economy.

	Nov. 28, 2007 Palestinian Negotiator Details 'Critical' Moment for Mideast President Bush pledged full support Wednesday for a new Israeli-Palestinian peace effort on the heels of a U.S.-backed Mideast peace conference. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat discusses the agreement and the prospects for further negotiations over the creation of a Palestinian state.

	Nov. 28, 2007 Political Turmoil in Pakistan On Wednesday, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf resigned as head of the army. The move came weeks after he imposed an emergency rule and dismissed part of the Supreme Court. The new court, handpicked by Musharraf, quashed legal challenges to his re-election. Two experts answered your questions.

	Nov. 28, 2007 Pakistan's Musharraf Quits Army Chief Role Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as army chief Wednesday -- a day before he will be sworn in as a civilian president -- in response to mounting opposition to his dual leadership role.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Biden Gives His Take on Iraq Policy, Pakistan, Campaigning in Iowa In the latest in a series of in-depth interviews with 2008 presidential candidates, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., talks about his views on the road to the White House, including campaigning in Iowa, U.S. involvement in Iraq and Pakistan's political turmoil.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Israeli PM: Tough Choices Ahead in Mideast Peace Process Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to restart peace talks at a Maryland summit Tuesday, promising further negotiations toward a peace treaty and the development of a Palestinian state. Gwen Ifill talks to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the U.S.-backed talks and the Mideast peace process.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Extremist Schools in Pakistan Complicate Global Terrorism Fight In Pakistan, a complex picture emerges of the influence and scope of Islamic religious schools, or madrassas, which are often portrayed as incubators of extreme ideology.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Politics of Pakistan: Timeline Formerly under control of the United Kingdom, the South Asian region's mostly Muslim provinces are divided into East and West Pakistan, and predominantly Hindu areas become modern India.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Politics of Pakistan: Government Profile Pakistan was founded as an Islamic state on Aug. 14, 1947 through the division of former British India.

	Nov. 27, 2007 Opposition Parties Line Up to Challenge Musharraf in January Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule on Nov. 3 gave opposition parties a rallying point and prompted Western allies to call on him to quit the army and become a civilian leader at last.

	Nov. 26, 2007 Violence, Humanitarian Crisis Continues to Grip Somalia Ongoing violence in Somalia has worsened the humanitarian situation in the war-torn East African country with disease, displacement and hunger among the problems. Two Somalia experts examine the crisis and the international community's response.

	Nov. 26, 2007 Musharraf on Verge of Relinquishing Military Title, Officials Say Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will quit his post as army chief and take the oath of office as a civilian leader, aides said Monday, as Musharraf navigated a political scene roiled by the return of another exiled former prime minister.

	Nov. 26, 2007 Giuliani Turns Up the Campaign Heat in New Hampshire Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani traded barbs with rivals in New Hampshire this weekend as his camp turned a new focus on the early primary state. A Giuliani biographer and a political reporter look at the candidate's background and his campaign strategy.

	Nov. 26, 2007 U.S.-Backed Mideast Summit Opens with Mixed Expectations Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, along with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Syria and other countries, plan to discuss prospects for a Palestinian state and other Mideast issues at a peace summit Tuesday in Annapolis, Md. Middle East experts assess the prospects for the conference.

	Nov. 23, 2007 Shields and Brooks Mull '08 Race, Pace of Economy With Iowa's Jan. 3 presidential caucus quickly approaching, new opinion polls show a tightening Democratic race and quickly changing Republican field. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the latest news from the 2008 campaign trail and other news stories of the week.

	Nov. 23, 2007 Pakistanis Reflect on Impact of Political Turmoil The Pakistani government denounced a move by the British Commonwealth suspending its membership and speculation continued over when President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will step down as army chief. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on public reaction to the turmoil.

	Nov. 23, 2007 Lebanese President Calls In Military amid Political Impasse President Emile Lahoud said Friday that Lebanon is in a "state of emergency" and called for the army to take charge of security hours before he was set to step down. The pro-Western government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora rejected the move.

	Nov. 22, 2007 Local Militant Groups Pose Threat in Pakistan Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the threat posed by local radical groups, the Aamy's role in the response, and reactions from Pakistanis.

	Nov. 21, 2007 Pakistan's Media Struggles to Cope with Emergency Rule Since Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule more than two weeks ago, Pakistan's media has been forced to cope with strict regulations and sporadic news blackouts. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on how the country's media is dealing with its new constraints.

	Nov. 21, 2007 Polarization in Politics Leaves Progress on Party Lines Amid congressional funding battles and veto showdowns with the White House, partisan power struggles appear to be as prevalent as ever in American politics. An expert panel examines the polarization divide and assesses how lawmakers might better bridge the partisan gap.

	Nov. 21, 2007 New Polls, Primary Dates Turn Up Heat in '08 Race With new polls showing a tightening race in Iowa and New Hampshire confirming a Jan. 8 primary date, the 2008 presidential election is gaining new traction. Judy Woodruff discusses the latest news from the campaigns with Washington Post political reporter Dan Balz.

	Nov. 21, 2007 N.H. Settles on Jan. 8 Primary Date After months of hand-wringing, New Hampshire officials announced Wednesday they would hold the first-in-the-nation presidential primary on Jan. 8, five days after Iowa's leadoff caucuses.

	Nov. 20, 2007 In Iraq, Violence Falls but Political Gridlock Remains Violence in Iraq is on the decline but sharp internal political divisions continue to hinder the Iraqi government and its efforts to make substantive legislative progress. Two Middle East experts discuss Iraq's political situation and how the government might break out of its stalemate.

	Nov. 19, 2007 Pakistani Crisis Persists as Activists Confront Military Government A newly appointed Pakistani Supreme Court quashed several legal challenges to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's re-election Monday. Margaret Warner reports from Lahore, Pakistan, on how the conflict between activists and Musharraf's military government has impacted the country's civil society and fuels the political crisis.

	Nov. 18, 2007 Extended Interview: Bhutto Promises to Continue Democracy Efforts in Pakistan In an extended version of the interview aired Friday on the NewsHour, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto pledged to continue her campaign of political pressure aimed at ending the military rule of President Pervez Musharraf and warned of new instability if a peaceful solution is not found.

	Nov. 16, 2007 Democrats Square-Off in Vegas Debate; U.S. Envoy Puts Pressure on Pakistan Democratic candidates debated their policy views in heated exchanges in Thursday's Las Vegas debate and political turmoil engulfed Pakistan, straining its relations with the United States. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks look at the week's news.

	Nov. 16, 2007 Nevada Voters Weigh Democratic Debate Democratic presidential hopefuls exchanged their most overt attacks yet in a Thursday night debate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In the last of the NewsHour's Big Picture reports from Las Vegas, a panel of Nevada voters discuss the debate and the 2008 election.

	Nov. 16, 2007 Political Pressure Builds on Musharraf over Emergency Rule U.S. envoy John Negroponte traveled to Pakistan Friday carrying a renewed call for President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule. The move comes after opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's release from house arrest. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan, where she spoke to Bhutto in her first interview since her detention began.

	Nov. 16, 2007 Great 'Western' Debate Takes an Unexpected Turn in Vegas Las Vegas lit up last night in a way it never has before: with POLITICS. Seven big-name candidates swooped into town, bringing with them their traveling road shows -- otherwise known as the fight for the Democratic Party's nomination for president.

	Nov. 15, 2007 Las Vegas Races to Expand Social Services Amid Growth Boom In the next Big Picture election report from Las Vegas, the NewsHour looks at how the Nevada city's recent population increase has strained school and health care systems and local residents and leaders discuss how the burden on social services is impacting their views on the 2008 election.

	Nov. 15, 2007 Musharraf Names Interim Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf tapped an interim prime minister Thursday who will oversee January parliamentary elections in the country as opposition leader Benazir Bhutto pushed separately to build a national unity interim government.

	Nov. 15, 2007 Voices from Vegas As part of the NewsHour's Big Picture reporting trip, Las Vegas residents were asked about their views on local issues and what matters most in the 2008 election. Our Voices from Vegas begin with Dawn Barraclough who is the public relations specialist at Springs Preserve.

	Nov. 15, 2007 Vegas Political Activists Chart Their Own Paths The population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area is 1.7 million and climbing daily -- and to look at all the high-rise hotels that have sprung up in the middle of the desert, it meets the definition of a big city.

	Nov. 14, 2007 In '08 Election, Environment, Resources Top Concerns for Western Voters Rapid growth in some western states has caused strain on natural resources. Local experts explain how the issues of water, power and land use are playing a role in the 2008 presidential election.

	Nov. 14, 2007 Rapid Urban Growth Strains Nevada's Natural Resources Rapid growth in Las Vegas has caused tension between urban and rural areas about the strain on Nevada's natural resources. The battle over water and energy use has raised debate about the need for conservation and alternative sources of energy.

	Nov. 14, 2007 House Democrats Push War Funding Bill, Troop Drawdown The U.S. House of Representatives debated a $50 billion war-funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan Wednesday that would also require U.S. troops to start leaving Iraq within 30 days. Two House members discuss the conflict between Congress and the White House over spending priorities.

	Nov. 14, 2007 Spitzer Drops Immigrant Driver's License Plan New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday he was abandoning a bid to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants amid strong opposition to the plan. The controversial proposal stirred national debate over U.S. immigration policies.

	Nov. 14, 2007 Immigrants Form Key Part of Las Vegas Economy Polls show that immigration is the number one issue for Republicans in the 2008 election; but it may not help them very much in Nevada.

	Nov. 13, 2007 Economic Issues Weigh on Minds of Las Vegas Voters For years, Las Vegas has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. In the latest Big Picture report, local business leaders discuss the role economic issues are playing in the 2008 presidential campaign.

	Nov. 13, 2007 Pakistan's Political Unrest Prompts Questions About Nuclear Arsenal Pakistan remains under emergency rule despite President Pervez Musharraf's pledge to hold parliamentary elections in January. A nuclear security analyst and a Pakistani physicist assess how the political turmoil will affect the security of Pakistan's nuclear program.

	Nov. 13, 2007 Bhutto Calls on Musharraf to Resign amid House Arrest Police in Pakistan halted an opposition protest Tuesday and confined its organizer, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, to her home. Also on Tuesday, Bhutto called for President Pervez Musharraf to resign.

	Nov. 13, 2007 What it Takes to Create the 'Big Picture' When I returned to my Las Vegas hotel room late Monday afternoon I realized this is an ideal opportunity to remind everyone these stories are a team effort and what I, and other correspondents, do, is just the tip of the iceberg.

	Nov. 13, 2007 Bhutto Calls on Musharraf to Resign as President Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto urged Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to step down Tuesday and ruled out serving with him in a future government as she remained barricaded inside her home under house arrest in Lahore.

	Nov. 12, 2007 Early Caucus Dates Bring Nevada into Focus for 2008 Election In the first of its Big Picture election series, the NewsHour reports from Las Vegas, where immigration, economic growth and urban development are top voter concerns. After a look at the Las Vegas political scene, local columnist Jon Ralston discusses how voters are reacting to the state's early caucus schedule.

	Nov. 12, 2007 Immigration Shapes Las Vegas' Political, Economic Growth Although Las Vegas is internationally known as an entertainment capital, job growth has spurred a population and development boom in the city. As part of the Big Picture election series, Ray Suarez looks at the changing demographics of the city's residents.

	Nov. 12, 2007 Gunfire Shatters Rally in Gaza Strip, Killing at Least 6 At least six people were killed and 80 wounded Monday, when gunfire erupted at a Fatah memorial rally for Yasser Arafat in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

	Nov. 12, 2007 Change Comes by Way of Resort in North Korea With help from South Korea and one of its major corporations, North Korea presents a deluxe picture to tourists who visit the Mount Kumgang resort, a complex of hotels and lodges as well as a spa and a coffee stand that sells lattes at Starbucks prices.

	Nov. 12, 2007 A Complex Electorate Fills Voter Rolls in Las Vegas In all the years I've covered American politics, it's fair to say Nevada's gotten short shrift. Its two best-known cities -- Las Vegas and Reno -- are recognized for activities other than their voter turnout operations.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Shields, Brooks Consider Mukasey Vote, Kerik Indictment Michael Mukasey was sworn in as Attorney General on Friday after a divided Senate confirmation vote and former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

	Nov. 9, 2007 House Passes Bill to Ease Middle-Class Tax Burden The House passed a tax reform bill on Friday aimed at reducing the burden of the Alternative Minimum Tax for middle-class Americans. The bill would raise taxes on hedge-fund and private equity firm managers to offset lost revenue.

	Nov. 9, 2007 2008 Campaign Ads Saturate the Air Waves in Iowa As the 2008 presidential primary season draws closer, candidates are pouring money into television ads to court voters in key states. A political advertising analyst and an Iowa broadcaster discuss the ads and how much the campaigns are spending on them.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Pakistani Police Clash Anew With Opposition Protesters Pakistani police blanketed the site of a major anti-government protest rally Friday and barricaded opposition leader Benazir Bhutto inside her home to prevent her from joining the demonstration. Experts assess the latest developments in country's political crisis.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Demilitarized Zone Reminder of War and Tenuous Peace Stretching 155 miles wide and two and a half miles deep across the entire peninsula, the Demilitarized Zone divides the two Koreas. It also separates the universes of a war long forgotten by most Americans and a peace tantalizingly close for nearly all Koreans.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Las Vegas Looks Ahead as Growth Boom Hits a Bump While the population and job boom Las Vegas has enjoyed in recent years slowed in 2007, several big hotel and condo projects being constructed on the city's famous "Strip" signal that the city's growth explosion may see a future resurgence.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Hispanic Voters Gain Influence with Nevada's Early Caucus Last year, the national immigration debate mobilized Hispanics to show their strength as a community; Next year, this fast-growing voting bloc has another chance to sway the national political conversation if voter turnout is high in Nevada's Jan. 19 presidential caucus.

	Nov. 9, 2007 Divided Senate Confirms Mukasey as Attorney General The Senate voted 53-40 late Thursday night to confirm retired judge Michael Mukasey as the new attorney general. Mukasey succeeds Alberto Gonzales, who resigned in September.

	Nov. 8, 2007 GOP Punishes Five States for Early Voting Contests Officials from the Republican Party announced Thursday that the states of New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming will lose half of their delegates at the Republican National Convention next year for scheduling early primaries.

	Nov. 8, 2007 Extent of Myanmar Protest Crackdown Revealed Independent Television News reports on the emergence of new details on the extent and aftermath of a military crackdown on anti-government protests in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma.

	Nov. 8, 2007 Georgian President Calls Early Elections to Quiet Protests After days of anti-government riots and the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency, pro-Western Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Thursday the country would hold special presidential elections in early January.

	Nov. 8, 2007 Passion for Korea Unification Giving Way to More Pragmatic Approach The unification issue has diminished as a priority for South Koreans, especially those several generations younger than the man who symbolizes Korea's struggle to establish democracy.

	Nov. 7, 2007 Candidate Endorsements Start Shaping Conservatives' Role in '08 Race Christian conservative leader Pat Robertson endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani Wednesday, while Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., endorsed the bid of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Two religious leaders assess the role of the conservative movement in the 2008 election.

	Nov. 7, 2007 Bush Appeals to Musharraf to End Pakistan's Political Crisis President Bush made a direct appeal to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to call new elections and bring his country's political crisis to an end. Following an update from Independent Television News, a Pakistani lawyer and Pakistan's ambassador to the United States discuss the issue.

	Nov. 7, 2007 Iran Reaches 'Irreversible' Nuclear Program Milestone Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Wednesday that the country's uranium enrichment program has reached a target of 3,000 working centrifuges.

	Nov. 6, 2007 Candidates Strive to Address Voters' Climate Concerns Environmental issues such as climate change and energy use have been frequent topics on the 2008 presidential campaign trail with both GOP and Democratic hopefuls offering policy plans. Two analysts examine the candidates' differing proposals to address climate issues.

	Nov. 6, 2007 Lawyers Emerge as Key Players in Pakistani Protests The ousted chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court sought to rally lawyers Tuesday to continue street protests against President Pervez Musharraf's imposition of emergency rule. Regional experts discuss the pivotal role lawyers are playing in the protests and assess the latest developments in the crisis.

	Nov. 6, 2007 Mukasey Nomination Advances to Full Senate Vote The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted 11-8 in favor of Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey, sending his nomination to the Senate floor and virtually ensuring his confirmation.

	Nov. 5, 2007 Thousands Protest Emergency Rule in Pakistan Opposition groups said thousands of their supporters have been arrested in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule this weekend. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and two experts consider the political unrest in Pakistan.

	Nov. 5, 2007 Pakistan Declares Emergency Rule, Detains Lawyers and Dissenters Against the United States' wishes, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule over the weekend and arrested more than 1,000 people, including lawyers who were protesting the government's action.

	Nov. 5, 2007 Among Sea of Glittery Crosses, Christianity Makes Its Mark in South Korea As dusk turns to dark in this capital city, the skyline glitters with more than the urban lights of office towers and apartment blocks. From the hills that define Seoul's neighborhoods it is easy to spot lighted electric crosses. They are among the most visible reminders of just how deeply Christianity shapes South Korea.

	Nov. 2, 2007 Mukasey Questioned on Torture, Clinton Attacked by Opposition This week, lawmakers questioned Attorney General-nominee Michael Mukasey's stance on torture tactics and Democratic presidential hopefuls stepped up attacks on front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton. Analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the week's developments.

	Nov. 2, 2007 Oregon Seeks Tobacco Tax to Fund Children's Health While the U.S Congress struggles to revise a state health insurance bill covering low-income children, Oregon officials are planning their own solution, with a proposed increase in tobacco taxes to cover children's health care costs. The NewsHour reports on Oregon's proposal.

	Nov. 2, 2007 Consumer Product Safety Chief's Travel Under Scrutiny The chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Nancy Nord, and her predecessor have come under criticism for taking trips paid for by groups they regulate. In back-to-back interviews, Nord responds to the accusations after a member of Congress explains why she has called for Nord's resignation.

	Nov. 1, 2007 Plan to Provide Illegal Immigrants with Driver's Licenses Stirs Debate Recent proposals to allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses and auto insurance have added a new layer to the debate over immigration rights in America and surfaced as an issue on the presidential campaign trail. Experts examine the controversy.

	Nov. 1, 2007 U.S. Diplomats Riled Over Possible Forced Duty in Iraq U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice moved Thursday to defuse tensions among Foreign Service officers over a new State Department policy that could force diplomats to serve a tour of duty in Iraq. Analysts assess the new policy and the implications for Iraqi diplomacy.



	OCTOBER Oct. 31, 2007 Democratic Contenders for President Attack Front-runner Clinton in Debate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., fielded tough criticism from other contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday in an MSNBC-hosted debate. Two political journalists provide insight on the shift in tone in the primary race.

	Oct. 31, 2007 Torture Tactic Questions Dominate Mukasey Confirmation Attorney General-nominee Michael Mukasey's responses to questions on the constitutionality of torture tactics troubled some Democratic senators during his confirmation hearings and have slowed the next steps in his nomination. Two members of the Senate Judiciary panel discuss Mukasey's bid.

	Oct. 31, 2007 The Two Koreas: Political Timeline Over the past 100 years, the Koreas have contended with Japanese occupation and fighting across their border as they work to stay relevant in the international political arena.

	Oct. 31, 2007 Tangled Past Makes Koreans Wary of China, Japan With a history of struggling to survive against larger, stronger countries, North and South Korea are remarkably similar in how they view neighbors China and Japan -- with wariness and lingering bitterness.

	Oct. 31, 2007 Summit Pact Seeks to End Korean War, Promises Economic Cooperation An agreement between North and South Korean leaders made in early October promises economic cooperation and peace efforts, but while goals for denuclearization and ending border violence indicate vast military improvement, human rights efforts are less clear.

	Oct. 30, 2007 Sorting out the Future for Chinese-Controlled Tibet An Independent Television News report on life in Tibet, a country controlled by China for more than 50 years.

	Oct. 30, 2007 Voting Rights Head Apologizes for Comments on Minorities The Justice Department's voting rights chief apologized Tuesday for comments he made about minority voters, raising questions about civil rights and voting protections in the United States.

	Oct. 30, 2007 Iraqis Move to End Contractor Immunity in Blackwater Backlash An Iraqi bill to end foreign security contractors' immunity from prosecution is headed to a parliamentary vote after Iraq's cabinet approved the draft law Tuesday.

	Oct. 29, 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax Faces Chance of Repeal in Tax Code Overhaul Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., has proposed a plan to eliminate the alternative minimum tax, designed in 1969 to ensure wealthy Americans paid their fair share of taxes but which was never indexed for inflation. Rangel and Rep. James McCrery, R-La., debate the tax plan.

	Oct. 29, 2007 Argentinian First Lady Kirchner Elected President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of President Nestor Kirchner, was elected president of Argentina Sunday. The NewsHour reports on Kirchner's transition from First Lady to the country's presidency.

	Oct. 29, 2007 Debate Stirs Over Possible U.S. Military Action Against Iran New U.S. economic sanctions leveled against Iran last week over Tehran's nuclear program further fueled debate about the possibility of U.S. military action against the country. Two writers offer their perspectives on what the next steps should be for U.S. policy in Iran.

	Oct. 29, 2007 Argentina's First Lady Elected President Cristina Fernandez, the wife of President Nestor Kirchner, will become Argentina's first elected woman president after overwhelmingly winning Sunday's election.

	Oct. 29, 2007 Rebel Groups Boycott Darfur Peace Talks Three main Darfur rebel factions boycotted peace talks with the Sudanese government over the weekend in Libya, throwing into doubt that any substantive progress would be made at the summit.

	Oct. 26, 2007 California Wildfire Response Compared to Katrina; U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Iran The government's response to the California wildfires evoked comparisons with Hurricane Katrina, while the United States imposed new sanctions against Iran. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

	Oct. 26, 2007 Myanmar Takes Careful Steps Following Protest Crackdown The military rulers of Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, released 50 pro-democracy activists as its representatives met with movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights advocates assess conditions since last month's crackdown on the protests.

	Oct. 26, 2007 Oil Prices Soar Amid New Middle East Tensions Crude oil prices hit new a new high Friday, closing at more than $91 per barrel amid news of more Middle East tensions, including expanded U.S. sanctions against Iran. An energy analyst and a government professor assess the reasons for and impact of the price jump.

	Oct. 25, 2007 Rice Announces New Set of Sweeping U.S. Sanctions Against Iran The United States announced Thursday a new set of economic sanctions against Iran targeted to impact the country's military and halt Tehran's disputed nuclear program. A State Department official and a U.S. senator offer perspectives on the U.S. policy course on Iran.

	Oct. 25, 2007 House Passes Revised Children's Health Insurance Bill The U.S. House passed a revised version of legislation aimed at expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program Thursday, but not by the two-thirds margin necessary to override a promised presidential veto.

	Oct. 24, 2007 President Bush Outlines Cuban Policy Initiatives President Bush proposed a new policy plan Wednesday to push for a democratic transition in Cuba, but he declined to lift an economic embargo on the nation. Two policy analysts assess the state of U.S.-Cuban relations.

	Oct. 23, 2007 Iraq Moves on Rebel Fighters to Smooth Relations with Turkey Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki tried to ease tensions with Turkey by cutting off resources of Kurdish PKK rebel fighters near the Turkish border. Iraq's Kurdish deputy prime minister and Turkey's ambassador to the United States present their countries' viewpoints.

	Oct. 22, 2007 GOP Hopefuls Tout Conservative Stances, Take Aim at Clinton in Debate GOP candidates vying for their party's nomination met Sunday for a debate in Florida, where they promoted their conservative credentials and took aim at the record of Democratic hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton. Political reporters assess the Republicans' performance.

	Oct. 19, 2007 McCain Details Views on the Iraq War, Drive for the White House In the latest in a series of in-depth interviews with the 2008 presidential hopefuls, Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain explains his views on the Iraq war, national security and why his credentials and experience make him a contender for the White House.

	Oct. 19, 2007 Shields, Brooks Assess Primary Shuffle, Mukasey Hearings Attorney-General nominee Michael Mukasey faced tough questions on torture in his confirmation hearings this week, and speculation grew over the potential for a December New Hampshire primary. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks give their take on the week's political news.

	Oct. 19, 2007 Former PM Bhutto Seeks Full Inquiry Into Deadly Pakistan Attack Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto pledged to continue to push for a return to civilian rule in defiance of attackers who killed more than 100 people Thursday. After an Independent Television News report, journalists in Karachi provide an update on the story and the inquiry into the attack.

	Oct. 19, 2007 Bhutto Pledges No 'Surrender' to Militants After Deadly Attack Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, her long-awaited return from exile marred by a suicide attack that killed up to 136 people, blamed militants Friday for trying to assassinate her and said she would not "surrender our great nation" to them.

	Oct. 18, 2007 President Bush Faces Waning Political Capital in Final Year As President Bush approaches his final year in office, he faces lame-duck status with a Democrat-controlled Congress poised to block his agenda. Editorial page editors from around the country assess the president's strengths and weaknesses.

	Oct. 18, 2007 Deadly Blasts Disturb Bhutto's Pakistan Homecoming Explosions went off near a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday as she returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile. At least 108 people were reported killed in the blast. A reporter details the chaotic homecoming scene from Karachi.

	Oct. 18, 2007 Attorney General Nominee Mukasey Questioned on Torture Views Michael Mukasey, President Bush's nominee for U.S. attorney general, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a second day Thursday and was closely questioned on his views on interrogation tactics and torture. Legal experts assess the confirmation hearings.

	Oct. 18, 2007 House Fails to Override Children's Health Insurance Veto The House failed Thursday to override President Bush's veto of a bill would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill had some bipartisan support, but not the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.

	Oct. 18, 2007 Returning Ex-Premier Bhutto Escapes Blasts in Pakistan Explosions went off near a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday as she returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile to follow through on a plan to govern with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

	Oct. 17, 2007 Dalai Lama Awarded Congressional Gold Medal Despite Chinese Protests Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama received the Congressional Gold Medal Wednesday - the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow - despite opposition from China's government. Experts examine the Dalai Lama's iconic legacy and assess China's reaction.

	Oct. 17, 2007 Senate Judiciary Questions Nominee Mukasey in Confirmation Hearing The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday finished its first day of questioning of attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey, asking him about issues of national security. The NewsHour reports on Mukasey's confirmation hearing.

	Oct. 17, 2007 Turkish Parliament OKs Possible Invasion of Northern Iraq The Turkish Parliament Wednesday approved a possible cross-border offensive into Northern Iraq in response to tensions between Turkey and Kurdish rebels in the region. International policy experts discuss the likelihood of armed conflict in the border region and the impact of Turkey's vote.

	Oct. 17, 2007 Iowa GOP Pushes Caucus to Jan. 3; Focus Turns to N.H. Iowa Republicans voted Tuesday to move the date of their presidential caucuses, traditionally the critical first vote of the nomination process, to Jan. 3.

	Oct. 16, 2007 Landmark Nuclear Agreement Between India, U.S. in Danger of Collapse Opposition from lawmakers in both the United States and India threatens to derail the finalization of a historic nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries. Analysts discuss the issues stalling the pact and the possible implications if the deal collapses.

	Oct. 16, 2007 Authors Debate Israeli Lobby's Role Abraham Foxman, Director of the Anti-Defamation League and author of "The Deadliest Lies" and John Mearsheimer, a professor at the University of Chicago and co-author of "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy" answered your questions on the influence of the Israeli lobby in the United States.

	Oct. 15, 2007 Chinese President Pledges Oversight, Reforms Chinese President Hu Jintao vowed to make communist rule more inclusive and improve intra-party oversight in a speech to delegates at the opening of the Communist Party's 17th Congress on Monday.

	Oct. 12, 2007 Paul Envisions Smaller Government, Less Global Intervention As part of an ongoing series of in-depth interviews with presidential candidates, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, explains his vision of limited government, decreased U.S. intervention in conflicts abroad and details his stance as an anti-war Republican.

	Oct. 12, 2007 Gore Earns Nobel Nod; Thompson Debuts with Debate Performance Among the week's news, former Vice President Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize for his climate change work and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., debuted in his first presidential debate. Analysts David Brooks and E.J. Dionne discuss the week's political stories.

	Oct. 11, 2007 Former President Carter Reflects on His New Book, Recent Trip to Darfur Former President Jimmy Carter was in the news again this week with his new book, "Beyond the White House," and a recent trip to the Darfur region of Sudan. He discusses his impressions of Darfur and themes in his new book.

	Oct. 11, 2007 Turkey Lashes Out at U.S. Lawmakers for Armenian 'Genocide' Measure Turkey criticized U.S. lawmakers and recalled its ambassador after a House panel voted to approve a measure that recognizes the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I as "genocide." A congressman and a former U.S. diplomat explain the issues at hand.

	Oct. 10, 2007 Edwards Reflects on Campaign Deja Vu, Plight of the Middle Class As part of an ongoing series of in-depth interviews with presidential candidates, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. explains his views on the Iraq war, the status of the middle class in America, and running for president for a second time.

	Oct. 10, 2007 Democrats Withdraw from Michigan Primary Five Democratic candidates chose to withdraw their names from the Michigan primary ballot in another round of the calendar shuffle that pits allegiance to national party rules against voters in states grappling for more nominating influence.

	Oct. 10, 2007 Party Strategists Discuss Campaign Fundraising Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls have recently released fund-raising numbers and the data has held some surprises. With the race on for campaign cash, the intricacies of fund raising and how candidates seek out backers remain hot topics. Our guests answered your questions.

	Oct. 9, 2007 Dueling Books Reignite Debate Over Israeli Lobby in United States Two books examining the Israeli lobby in the U.S., "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy," and "The Deadliest Lies," present opposing views on Israel's influence among U.S. policymakers. Authors John Mearsheimer and Abraham Foxman detail their stances.

	Oct. 9, 2007 Republicans Face Off Over Economy in Thompson's Debate Debut GOP presidential hopefuls gathered in Michigan Tuesday for a debate centering on economic issues, the first such appearance for newcomer former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn. Political reporters assess how the candidates fared in the forum.

	Oct. 9, 2007 Corn vs. Cattle in Energy Bill Proposals As America strives for energy independence, Congress is working renewable fuels into its energy legislation.

	Oct. 8, 2007 Pakistani Presidential Election Awaits Court Ruling Pakistan awaited a Supreme Court ruling on whether President Pervez Musharraf, who won Saturday's unofficial vote, can still run while serving as Army chief. A regional expert provides an update on the power struggle.

	Oct. 8, 2007 Iran's Influence in Iraq Under Increased Scrutiny Iran's alleged influence over groups in Iraq that inflict violence on U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians has become another source of tension between Washington and Tehran. Experts assess Iran's connections to the conflict in Iraq.

	Oct. 5, 2007 Huckabee Gives His Take on Conservatism, Faith and Iraq As part of an ongoing series of in-depth interviews with presidential candidates, former Arkansas Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee explains his approach to Iraq, immigration, the importance of faith in his life, his conservatism and his personal struggle with weight loss.

	Oct. 5, 2007 Shields and Brooks Look at Detention Policy, Election Race Lawmakers lashed out over secret memos on interrogation tactics, and presidential hopefuls reported fund raising figures this week. NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss these issues and other political news of the week.

	Oct. 5, 2007 Bush Defends Detention Policy, Says U.S. 'Does Not Torture' President Bush defended his administration's detention and interrogation policies Friday and denied the use of torture against terrorism suspects.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Kucinich Details His Views on Iraq War, Health Care Reform In a series of interviews with presidential candidates, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, talks about his track record of voting against the Iraq war as well as his take on domestic issues such as health care and abortion.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Leaders from North, South Korea Take Steps Toward Peace Treaty Leaders from North and South Korea met to discuss a peace treaty that will formally end the Korean War. Independent Television News reports on the meeting between the long-divided Asian countries.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Congress Debates Shield Legislation Congress debated a shield law Thursday that would regulate journalists' relationships with their sources. The NewsHour talks to a legal expert and a former Justice Department official about the proposed legislation.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Investigators Seek More Facts on Blackwater Shootout Investigations continue over the Sept. 16 Baghdad shootout involving private security firm Blackwater USA, with an Iraqi probe claiming that at least 13 civilians died in the incident. A New York Times reporter in Baghdad provides an update on the case.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Myanmar Junta Chief Willing to Meet With Pro-democracy Leader The leader of the military junta in Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, indicated Thursday that he is willing to meet with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi amid renewed focus on the nation after a wave of anti-government protests.

	Oct. 4, 2007 Korean Leaders Move Toward Reconciliation The leaders of North and South Korea announced Thursday they would take steps toward a peace treaty that would replace the Korean War's 1953 cease-fire and continue work to ease tensions on the world's last remaining frontier of the Cold War.

	Oct. 3, 2007 North Korea Agrees to Disable Nuclear Complex by Year's End North Korea agreed Wednesday to disable its main nuclear reactor complex and provide details on its nuclear programs. Chief U.S. nuclear negotiator with North Korea Christopher Hill talks to the NewsHour about the new agreement and the state of relations with Pyongyang.

	Oct. 3, 2007 President Bush Vetoes Children's Health Insurance Legislation President Bush vetoed a bill Wednesday that aimed to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, by $35 billion. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., and Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., examine the president's decision and the next steps for the bill.

	Oct. 2, 2007 Myanmar Crisis Sheds New Light on China's Regional Influence During recent protests in Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, the international community relied heavily on the diplomatic intervention of China in efforts to stop a military crackdown. Experts consider China's growing regional influence.

	Oct. 2, 2007 Blackwater Chief Defends Security Work in Iraq The head of Blackwater USA, the private security firm implicated in a series of deadly firefights in Iraq, defended his employees' actions before a Congressional committee Tuesday, saying his firm had acted properly "at all times." Two top members of the House panel discuss the testimony.

	Oct. 1, 2007 Gravel Discusses Campaign Funding, Relations with Iran Former Alaska Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Gravel talks about his campaign fundraising, U.S. relations with Iran and details his personal and political background in the newest in a series of in-depth interviews with the 2008 presidential candidates.



	SEPTEMBER Sept. 28, 2007 Foreign Policy Analysts Debate Iraq at UVA Top foreign policy analysts debated the war in Iraq on Thursday night. Margaret Warner moderated the Iraq debate at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

	Sept. 28, 2007 Congress Moves SCHIP Forward; GOP Debates Minority Issues The showdown between Congress and President Bush over the State Children's Health Insurance Program intensified, while a handful of Republican presidential hopefuls talked about minority issues during a debate on Thursday. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

	Sept. 28, 2007 Senate Passage of SCHIP Measure Increases Pressure on President Bush Congressional Democrats have increased their pressure on President Bush to not veto an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. On Thursday night, the Senate passed the plan by a wide enough margin to override a veto.

	Sept. 27, 2007 Democrats Sound Off on Iraq Democrats debated Iraq scenarios and health care policy at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday at an MSNBC forum moderated by Tim Russert.

	Sept. 27, 2007 Myanmar Military Exercises Strength Against Buddhist Protesters Violence in Myanmar, also known as Burma, continued Thursday as the Asian country's government excersized force against the thousands of Buddist monks protesting there. Independent Television News reports on the situation.

	Sept. 27, 2007 Iraqi Sunni Vice President Meets with Top Shiite Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the top Shiite cleric in Iraq, held a rare meeting with Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi Thursday to assess a strategy to unite the country's divided leaders and end sectarian violence.

	Sept. 27, 2007 Rep. Hoyer Weighs Congress' Plans for Iraq, Budget Issues U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., discusses his take on some of the biggest challenges currently facing Congress, including budget debates, U.S. funding of the war in Iraq and other topics.

	Sept. 26, 2007 Hunter Outlines Iraq Strategy, Immigration Plan In the newest in a series of interviews with presidential candidates, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., details his ideas for handling illegal immigration in the United States and discusses how his experiences as a veteran shape his views on Iraq war policy.

	Sept. 26, 2007 Junta Attempts to Quell Protests in Myanmar Myanmar's military rulers cracked down Wednesday on a recent wave of anti-government protests, which have put a fresh focus on the country's controversial political situation. Two experts assess the latest developments in the South Asian nation.

	Sept. 25, 2007 Protests in Myanmar Draw International Reaction The military rulers of the South Asian nation of Myanmar threatened to crack down on continuing pro-democracy protests on Tuesday even as President Bush announced new sanctions aimed at bringing reform. Regional analysts examine where the standoff is headed.

	Sept. 25, 2007 Ahmadinejad Rails Against 'Arrogant' U.N. Saying the issue of his country's nuclear program was now "closed," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad derided the United Nations for allowing world powers to bully others. It was the latest in a string of controversial comments from the leader during his U.S. visit.

	Sept. 25, 2007 Supreme Court to Consider Lethal Injections, Voter IDs The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide whether lethal injection amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and whether voter identification laws unfairly deter the poor and minorities from voting.

	Sept. 24, 2007 Richardson Advocates Full Iraq Troop Withdrawal In the next in a series of presidential candidate interviews, Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., details his plan for pulling U.S. troops from Iraq and discusses the need for diplomacy in the Middle East, among other issues.

	Sept. 24, 2007 Myanmar Government, President Bush React to Protesters Buddhist monks, who have protested Myanmar's military government during the past week, have drawn support of thousands of civilian protesters and the attention of Myanmar and American officials.

	Sept. 24, 2007 Ahmadinejad Lashes Out at Israel in New York Appearances Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose visit to New York City Monday met with local protests, accused Israel of occupation and racism during a speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

	Sept. 21, 2007 Democrats Debate Health Care; Senate Weighs Iraq Measures As Democrats debated health care policy Thursday night, the Senate hit a snag on the defense authorization bill. Analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the week's political news.

	Sept. 21, 2007 Senate at an Impasse on Iraq Withdrawal A partisan divide plagues Congress' ability to reach a consensus on if and when the United States should begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. The NewsHour reports on the ongoing debate.

	Sept. 21, 2007 Rice Visits Mideast as Precursor to Peace Summit Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited for two days with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ahead of a U.S.-sponsored peace conference tentatively scheduled for November.

	Sept. 20, 2007 Brownback Discusses Stance on Iraq, Family Values In the first in a series of presidential candidate interviews, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., talks about his stance on the Iraq war and the importance of rebuilding family values in America.

	Sept. 20, 2007 Hsu Charged with Campaign Finance Violations Democratic fund-raiser Norman Hsu was indicted Thursday on charges of campaign finance violation and business fraud. Experts consider the role of "bundlers" like Hsu and how campaigns vet their contributions.

	Sept. 20, 2007 President Bush Accuses Democrats of Politicizing SCHIP President Bush on Thursday promised to veto a Democratic-backed bill that would expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, accusing congressional Democrats of playing politics with the legislation.

	Sept. 19, 2007 Polls, Editorials Reflect Public's Differing Views on Iraq A new Pew Research Center poll tracks changes in public opinion on the Iraq war following Gen. David Petraeus' testimony before Congress. Four editorial page editors discuss the public's perception in their regions.

	Sept. 19, 2007 Senate Debates U.S. Troop Tours in Iraq The Senate debated legislation Wednesday that would regulate troop deployments in Iraq. The NewsHour reports on the debate and what it means for U.S. military.

	Sept. 18, 2007 Exploring Generation Next Generation Next is a term for the 42 million 16-to-25 year olds who watched the Twin Towers collapse, experienced the shootings at Virginia Tech University, grew up online and statistically speaking are better educated than any other generation in history.

	Sept. 17, 2007 Presidential Candidate Clinton Unveils Health Care Plan Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., unveiled her health care plan Monday. The plan would aim to insure all Americans. NewsHour health correspondent Susan Dentzer and a political reporter discuss Clinton's proposal.

	Sept. 17, 2007 President Bush Nominates Mukasey for Attorney General President Bush announced Monday his nomination of retired federal judge Michael Mukasey to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general. Two former U.S. attorneys discuss the selection.

	Sept. 14, 2007 President Discusses War; Candidates React to Iraq Reports Presidential hopefuls weighed in on the series of Iraq reports, with Democrats expressing skepticism over progress and potential for success. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss how Iraq-related news has played out on the campaign trail.

	Sept. 14, 2007 Defense Secretary Gates Describes Plan for Iraq The Iraq war has dominated headlines with a report from Gen. David Petraeus and President Bush's announcement of a phased troop withdrawal. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates talks about long-term plans for the country.

	Sept. 14, 2007 Iraq Reacts to Progress Report, President Bush Speech Iraqis gave mixed reviews to President Bush's plans for a phased troop withdrawal beginning next summer, which he announced following a report from Army Gen. David Petraeus. A reporter in Iraq discusses the on-the-ground response to the news from Washington.

	Sept. 13, 2007 Citing Security Gains, President Supports Limited Troop Withdrawal Saying additional U.S. soldiers have created more stability in Iraq and allowed some political progress, President Bush Thursday endorsed a phased withdrawal of troops to pre-surge levels by next summer, a move dismissed by Democrats as inadequate.

	Sept. 13, 2007 Former U.S. Officials Examine President's Iraq Stance Testimony from Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker has raised questions about the next step in the war in Iraq. Former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and former State Department counselor Philip Zelikow discuss President Bush's plans.

	Sept. 12, 2007 Petraeus, Crocker Discuss Iraq Assessment Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker discuss their Iraq war report, as Democratic leaders call for a speedy troop withdrawal and President Bush prepares to make a prime-time speech Thursday.

	Sept. 12, 2007 Japanese Prime Minister Abe Resigns Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation Wednesday after only a year in office.

	Sept. 11, 2007 Senators Assess Petraeus, Crocker Testimony Army Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker provided their assessment of the Iraq war to the Senate Tuesday. Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., give their reactions.

	Sept. 11, 2007 Petraeus, Crocker Continue Iraq Updates in Front of Senate Panel Army Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker continued a second day of Iraq testimony with an appearance in the Senate. Crocker said a troop pullout would threaten political progress, but many senators criticized the state of affairs in Iraq.

	Sept. 10, 2007 Pakistani Opposition Leader Sharif Deported Upon Return Nawaz Sharif, the former Pakistani prime minister hoping to lead opposition to the current government, was arrested upon his return to Pakistan on Monday and sent to Saudi Arabia. A journalist discusses the Pakistan power struggle.

	Sept. 10, 2007 House Members Respond to Iraq Status Report Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker appeared before Congress Monday to report on progress in the Iraq war. Four House members debate the next steps.

	Sept. 10, 2007 Petraeus Touts Iraq Progress, Discusses Troop Drawdown In long-awaited testimony, Army Gen. David Petraeus told Congress Monday the troop increase in Iraq has largely met its goals and he recommended a reduction in troop levels, as Ambassador Ryan Crocker described improved security. The NewsHour recaps the hearing.

	Sept. 7, 2007 Iraq Reports Reveal Security Weakness; Petraeus Prepares for Congress While Washington anticipates a status report on Iraq from Gen. David Petraeus, a series of previous reports revealed problems with the Iraqi police and government progress on benchmarks. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news.

	Sept. 7, 2007 War on Terror, Foreign Policy Affect Pakistani Views of U.S. In the last installment in a series of reports from Pakistan, Margaret Warner talks with Pakistanis about their views on the United States and the two countries' political ties.

	Sept. 6, 2007 GOP Candidates Debate Iraq as Thompson Enters Race While his rivals for the Republican Party nomination debated Iraq and immigration in New Hampshire Wednesday night, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson made his entry into the presidential race official from talk show host Jay Leno's couch.

	Sept. 6, 2007 Pakistani Lawyers Protest Musharraf's Government Pakistani lawyers boycotted court Thursday, demanding that President Pervez Musharraf step down. Musharraf has seen his popularity decline since he tried to dismiss the Supreme Court chief in March. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the political tensions.

	Sept. 6, 2007 Panel Finds Progress, Problems with Iraqi Security A report from the Iraqi Security Forces Independent Assessment Commission found the Iraqi Army is improving but the national police are dysfunctional. Panel Chairman retired Marine Gen. James Jones and former Washington, D.C. police chief Charles Ramsey discuss their findings.

	Sept. 5, 2007 New Freedoms for Civil Society Heighten Political Tensions in Pakistan Journalists, artists and judicial activists have found voices in new freedoms in Pakistani culture, but clashes also have arisen. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on cultural tensions between the traditional and more modern ideologies.

	Sept. 5, 2007 White House Chief of Staff Discusses Iraq War, Vacancies President Bush's chief of staff Joshua Bolten talks about the impact of high-level vacancies in the administration as well as the president's view on recent developments in the Iraq war.

	Sept. 4, 2007 Latest Suicide Bombings Highlight Terrorist Threat in Pakistan Two suicide bombers killed at least 25 people in Pakistan Tuesday. Margaret Warner reports from Islamabad on the suspected extremist element in the country in the midst of its political uncertainty.

	Sept. 4, 2007 Lawmakers Discuss Iraq Visit, Unmet Benchmarks Congress returned from its August recess to a series of reports assessing progress in Iraq, including one that found the Iraqi government is having trouble meeting most U.S.-set benchmarks. Four House members who spent time in Iraq discuss the situation.

	Sept. 3, 2007 Congressional Finance Chair Discusses U.S. Economy House Financial Services Committee Chairman, Congressman Barney Frank, D- Mass., talks to the NewsHour about challenging economic issues Congress must face in the coming months and what they may mean for the U.S. economy.

	Sept. 3, 2007 Pakistanis Unsure of President Musharraf's Future Pakistani officials said government power-sharing talks would resume between President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto once opponents within the ruling party got on board. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the political turmoil.

	Sept. 3, 2007 President Bush Delivers Prospect of Troop Cut in Iraq In an unannounced trip to Iraq, President Bush said U.S. troops could start to leave the country if security continues to improve as it has in the Anbar Province. Military correspondent Michael Gordon talks about the president's meetings with Iraqi leaders and an upcoming report to Congress.



	AUGUST Aug. 31, 2007 President Bush Pushes Credit Measures; Warner to Step Down President Bush announced measures to help ease credit woes, while Sen. John Warner, R-Va., announced he will not seek re-election in 2008. Political analysts Marks Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's top political stories.

	Aug. 31, 2007 Reporter's Notebook: Rough Road for Rural Pakistanis As Margaret Warner and producer Simon Marks sat in a traffic jam on their way from Lahore to Islamabad, they discuss the challenges rural Pakistanis face, from unreliable roadways to "ghost teachers."

	Aug. 31, 2007 Iraq, Economy Weigh on Minds of Young Voters Politicians target a variety of voters -- Baby Boomers, retirees, homeland security moms and NASCAR dads -- but surveys show it's hard to pigeonhole young people age 18 to 25. They tend to lean Democratic, but only slightly, and the real question is, will they vote.

	Aug. 30, 2007 Pakistani Government Says Power-sharing Talks Ongoing The government of Pakistan said Thursday that President Pervez Musharraf has not decided to step down as army chief, contradicting former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the developments.

	Aug. 30, 2007 U.N. Agency Says Iran Cooperating with Nuclear Oversight The U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday that Iran is producing less nuclear fuel than previously thought and has made progress in explaining past nuclear activities.

	Aug. 30, 2007 Reporter's Notebook: Pakistanis Mull Government Deal As Margaret Warner and producer Simon Marks continued their reporting in Pakistan, in the eastern city of Lahore, they encountered residents none too pleased with the power-sharing agreement unfolding between President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

	Aug. 29, 2007 Hostage Release Highlights Negotiations with Taliban The Taliban released 12 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan on Wednesday, and another seven may be freed Thursday. A political scientist and a former CIA official discuss the challenges of negotiating with the Taliban.

	Aug. 29, 2007 Senators Call for Craig to Resign After Bathroom Arrest Following revelations about the arrest of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, on a disorderly conduct charge, several key Republicans called for his resignation. A political writer from one of Idaho's largest newspapers explains the impact in his home state.

	Aug. 28, 2007 Former Islamist Gul Becomes Turkey's President Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was sworn in Tuesday as the country's 11th president and the first with a background in political Islam. Two experts outline the concerns some have that the government will become less secular under his regime.

	Aug. 28, 2007 Gonzales Leaves Vacancies, Low Morale at Justice Department The successor to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will inherit a Justice Department with several top-level vacancies, low staff morale, and more than 100,000 employees. Two attorneys who served in Republican and Democratic administrations discuss the department's future.

	Aug. 28, 2007 Reporter's Notebook: Pakistanis Ponder Musharraf's Future In the second of her reports from Pakistan, senior correspondent Margaret Warner tells producer Simon Marks about the variety of people debating the political future of their president Pervez Musharraf and of the newly opened national gallery in Islamabad.

	Aug. 27, 2007 Exiled Former Prime Minister Plans to Return to Pakistan On her way to Pakistan, Margaret Warner spoke with exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who intends to return to his country despite threats that President Pervez Musharraf will arrest him. Follow her reporting all this week with a behind-the-scenes podcast.

	Aug. 27, 2007 Shields and Brooks Discuss Gonzales Resignation Pressure had been building for months in Washington surrounding the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and his departure was finally announced on Monday. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the politically-charged announcement.

	Aug. 27, 2007 DNC Moves to Stop Primary Frontloading The Democratic National Committee moved over the weekend to penalize Florida for moving up its primary date to Jan. 29 -- a violation of DNC rules that prohibit states from holding nominating polls before Feb. 5.

	Aug. 27, 2007 Reporter's Notebook: Damaged Mosque Belies Tensions in Pakistan In the first of a series of conversations based on their reporting from Pakistan, senior correspondent Margaret Warner and producer Simon Marks discuss their interviews with deposed premier Nawaz Sharif and information minister Tariq Azim Khan as well as their visit to the Red Mosque, damaged in a recent siege.

	Aug. 27, 2007 Most Muslims Against Iraq War, But Say U.S. Aid Needed A vast majority of Muslims in America feel the use of force in Iraq was wrong -- even more so than the general public, according to survey results -- but some say a continued U.S. presence is necessary for stability.

	Aug. 27, 2007 Musharraf Juggles Pakistani, U.S. Interests In a nation generally opposed to Western influence, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has spent nearly six years working to balance the interests of his people with cooperating with U.S. demands to root out Islamic extremists.

	Aug. 24, 2007 National Intelligence Estimate Released, Sectarian Violence Continues The National Intelligence Estimate was released this week, revealing little progress in Iraq. NewsHour political analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the NIE findings and criticisms of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

	Aug. 24, 2007 MoveOn.org Defends Anti-Iraq War Ads Liberal and conservative organizations have launched multi-million dollar advertising campaigns to pressure members of Congress to support their positions on the Iraq war. Representatives from both camps present their views.

	Aug. 24, 2007 Iraqi Government Criticized, Republican Senator Calls for Troop Withdrawal U.S. intelligence agencies delivered a negative assessment of the Iraqi government, as the debate over when to start withdrawing troops surged. Analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss the political events of the week.

	Aug. 24, 2007 Advocates Launch Iraq War Ad Campaigns Liberal and conservative organizations have launched multi-million dollar advertising campaigns to pressure members of Congress to support their positions on the Iraq war. Representatives from both camps present their views.

	Aug. 23, 2007 Warner Calls on President Bush to Withdraw Troops Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner called on President Bush Thursday to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq in time for Christmas. Warner explains his comments and outlook on Iraq.

	Aug. 23, 2007 Candidates Ratchet Up Political Game in Iowa Presidential candidates descended upon Iowa in mid-August to compete in the Republican straw poll, participate in a Democratic debate and hobnob with voters at the state fair, all ahead of the key state's first-in-the-nation caucus. Iowa Public Radio followed the candidates through the state fair in Des Moines.

	Aug. 22, 2007 Michigan, Arizona Set to Move Up Primary Dates Arizona announced plans Wednesday to move its presidential primary to Feb. 5, and Michigan's Senate voted to move up its date to Jan. 15. Regional editors discuss the reasons for advancing the dates.

	Aug. 22, 2007 President Bush Reaffirms Support for Iraqi Prime Minister President Bush reiterated his support of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in a speech Wednesday after criticizing the embattled leader earlier this week. Experts discuss the president's relationship with the premier.

	Aug. 21, 2007 Fred Thompson Still Testing Presidential Waters Republican Fred Thompson's unofficial campaign for president has gotten considerable attention as he works to garner support. A political reporter talks about Thompson's likely run and how it might affect the overall race.

	Aug. 21, 2007 Former Pakistani Premier Discusses Power-sharing Plan Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto talks about plans to return to her home country, Pakistan's political strife and a possible power-sharing agreement with President Pervez Musharraf.

	Aug. 20, 2007 Democratic Candidates Battle for Iowa's Support Democratic presidential hopefuls gathered for another debate Sunday, this time in the critical caucus state of Iowa to discuss Iraq, political experience and their electability on ABC's "This Week."

	Aug. 20, 2007 Border Issues Loom over North American Summit Although economic cooperation and the war on terror topped the agenda of President Bush's two-day summit with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, debate over the direction of the U.S. border security policy continues to play a large role in the discussions.

	Aug. 20, 2007 Presidential Favorite Falls Short of Victory in Turkey The man presumed to become Turkey's next president, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, failed to secure the two-thirds of parliamentary votes Monday needed to skip another round of presidential voting next week.

	Aug. 17, 2007 Presidential Aide Rove to Exit; Federal Reserve Takes Action White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove announced his resignation, while the Federal Reserve took its most decisive action yet to help an uncertain economy. Political analysts David Brooks and Harold Meyerson discuss the week's top stories.

	Aug. 16, 2007 Candidate Spouses Serve as Partners on Campaign Trail Presidential candidate spouses such as Elizabeth Edwards and Ann Romney have been fixtures on the campaign trail, providing support and reaching out to voters. A political science professor and a journalist discuss the changing role of spouses.

	Aug. 15, 2007 India, Pakistan Celebrate 60 Years of Independence Celebratory events continued this week in honor of the 60th year of independence for India and Pakistan. Independent Television News reports on the occasion.

	Aug. 15, 2007 Death Toll in Iraq Suicide Bombings Reaches 250 A series of suicide bombings in Iraq left at least 250 people dead, while political instability continues to plague the government. Regional experts discuss the country's political and security struggles.

	Aug. 15, 2007 India and Pakistan Celebrate 60 Years of Freedom Ceremonies this week marked the 60th anniversary of India and Pakistan's independence from British colonial rule, including an exchange of gifts between border guards, fireworks and speeches.

	Aug. 15, 2007 Constitutional Efforts Hit Snag with Sunni Walkout Efforts to revise the constitution in violence-ravaged Iraq threatened to come off the rails when negotiations with key Sunni politicians ended after their largest bloc in parliament left the government Aug. 1.

	Aug. 14, 2007 Immigrants Define Emerging British Relations with India, Pakistan Large communities of Indian and Pakistani immigrants are helping shape British culture, while the influences of British colonial rule still exist in their home countries.

	Aug. 14, 2007 School Districts Find Loopholes in No Child Left Behind Law School districts are getting around certain requirements of the No Child Left Behind law by setting the bar measuring student progress low in the beginning. Special correspondent for education John Merrow begins a series of reports.

	Aug. 14, 2007 Suicide Attacks Kill 175 as Iraqi Government Plans Crisis Summit The Iraqi military reported at least 175 dead in multiple suicide attacks Tuesday as members of the Iraqi parliament held preliminary meetings for a crisis summit. A New York Times reporter provides an update on politics and violence in Iraq.

	Aug. 14, 2007 Kucinich Takes Long-shot Status in Stride Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, arguably the most liberal Democratic candidate for president, has continued his long-shot mission to grab the nomination that he mounted in 2004, with past setbacks doing little to slow his campaign or curb his confidence.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Romney Hits High Note in Iowa Straw Poll Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Iowa straw poll Saturday, although other top contenders for the GOP nomination did not compete. A Washington Post political reporter assesses Romney's victory.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Sixty Years Later, Kashmir Continues to Plague India-Pakistan Relations Kashmir, a region prized for its resources and rugged beauty, remains embroiled in a violent tug-of-war between India and Pakistan, while many of its own leaders seek sovereignty.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Timeline: India-Pakistan Split A timeline of political events surrounding India and Pakistan's independence and the relationship between the two countries.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Presidential Adviser Rove to Leave Post Karl Rove, deputy chief of staff to President Bush and one of his closest advisers, announced Monday that he will resign at the end of August. A former presidential adviser and a political journalist discuss Rove's legacy.

	Aug. 13, 2007 Thompson Drops Out of Race After Poor Showing in Iowa Poll One day after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Ames, Iowa straw poll Saturday, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, slightly narrowing a crowded GOP field.

	Aug. 11, 2007 Romney Scores Symbolic Win in Iowa Straw Poll Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney scored a largely symbolic, yet critical victory in Saturday's Iowa GOP straw poll, beating a field of lesser known candidates in the first test of the governor's organizational ability.

	Aug. 10, 2007 South Carolina Moves Up Primary; Federal Reserve Responds to Markets South Carolina advanced its presidential primary in a move that threatened to shake up the entire primary calendar, while the Federal Reserve worked to respond to unsteady markets.

	Aug. 10, 2007 U.N. Votes to Expand Role in Iraq The U.N. Security Council approved an expanded mission in Iraq Friday, unanimously voting to increase their political role and serve as an intermediary in negotiations between neighboring nations and rival Iraqi factions.

	Aug. 10, 2007 Grassroots Campaigning Still Key in Iowa's Caucus Battleground As the presidential nominating process has evolved, voters in early primary and caucus states have grown accustomed to meeting candidates in living rooms and coffee shops -- intimate settings that facilitate personal connections.

	Aug. 9, 2007 British Troops Draw Down in Basra; Shiites Celebrate in Baghdad British troops are pulling back from Basra, Iraq's second-largest city. Independent Television News reports from the embattled region, and then New York Times reporter Damien Cave provides an update from Baghdad, site of a major Shiite religious festival.

	Aug. 9, 2007 South Carolina Primary Move Puts Election Calendar in Flux South Carolina officially moved up its primary presidential election to Jan. 19 on Thursday. New Hampshire and Iowa may soon move their primaries even earlier to preserve their first-in-the-nation status. Political analysts discuss how these changes may affect the election.

	Aug. 8, 2007 Obama, Clinton Openly Spar at AFL-CIO Forum Seven of the Democratic presidential candidates debated again Tuesday night in Chicago at the AFL-CIO-sponsored forum that turned into the most spirited meeting yet. The NewsHour reports on the debate's highlights and what they mean for the race to the White House.

	Aug. 6, 2007 Democrats Woo Bloggers; Republicans Face Off in Iowa Democrats vying for the 2008 presidential nomination spent the weekend courting liberal bloggers at the YearlyKos Convention in Chicago, while the Republican candidates debated in Des Moines, Iowa. A political journalist discusses the presidential race.

	Aug. 6, 2007 President Bush Confers with Karzai on Taliban Resurgence President Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Monday to discuss the resurgence of the Taliban and how to deal with growing violence in Afghanistan.

	Aug. 3, 2007 House Republicans Walk Out; Major Votes Are Ahead After voting on ethics reform and children's health insurance, House Republicans walked off the floor Thursday to protest the Democrats' handling of an agricultural spending bill. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's events.

	Aug. 3, 2007 Congress Is under Pressure to Move on Defense, Energy Before Recess The House of Representatives is expected to work into Saturday to finish important business before the congressional recess, but partisan fighting erupted in the House on Thursday night. Defense and energy bills are at stake.

	Aug. 2, 2007 House Speaker Discusses Democrats, Iraq War House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has faced criticism over the Democrats' inability to force change on the Iraq war. In an interview, she talks about the Democratic war strategy and other issues.

	Aug. 1, 2007 Rumsfeld Says He Was Not Involved in Cover-Up of Tillman Death Ex-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denied any involvement in the cover-up surrounding the death of Pat Tillman, a football star-turned-Army Ranger who was killed by friendly fire. He testified on Wednesday during a House hearing investigating the case.

	Aug. 1, 2007 Sunni Ministers to Leave Iraqi Government Six Sunni Arab Cabinet ministers announced their plans to withdraw from the shaky Iraqi government Wednesday, as suicide bombings in Baghdad killed at least 67 people.



	JULY July 31, 2007 Federal Agents Raid Alaska Home of Longtime Senator FBI and IRS agents raided the home of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, in an investigation into possible connections to an oil contractor indicted on bribery. An Alaska-based reporter provides an update on the probe.

	July 31, 2007 Joint Chiefs Nominee Says Troop Surge Making Headway Adm. Mike Mullen, President Bush's nominee to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Tuesday that the troop surge in Iraq is making some headway. He also said security in Iraq is better, though still "not great."

	July 30, 2007 Congress Eyes Expanding Children's Health Insurance Lawmakers and President Bush have been at odds over funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which is set to expire this year. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and GOP Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty debate the matter.

	July 30, 2007 New British Prime Minister Affirms Support for Iraq War At a meeting at Camp David in Maryland on Monday, President Bush and new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed unity on the war on terrorism and Iraq. Analysts discuss the leaders' agenda and the relationship between the United States and Britain.

	July 27, 2007 Obama, Clinton Face Off; Gonzales Testimony Challenged As presidential hopefuls Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., take aim at one another following a Democratic debate, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may face perjury charges. NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's political events.

	July 27, 2007 Congress Passes New Farm Bill Congress passed a new farm bill which subsidizes crops like soybeans and other vegetable products. Two experts talk to the NewsHour about what the bill will mean for farmers and the American economy.

	July 27, 2007 Democrats Seek Perjury Probe for Attorney General Senate Democrats requested a perjury investigation for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales after testimony from FBI Director Robert Mueller raised questions about his credibility. Former Justice Department officials discuss the situation.

	July 27, 2007 Poverty and Crime Flourish in Oil-Rich Niger Delta Beset by poverty, corruption, violent political agitation and rampant lawlessness, the Niger Delta region continues to languish, despite being one of the most oil-rich regions in the world.

	July 26, 2007 Iraqi Refugees Flee War-torn Country Millions of Iraqi citizens have left their war-torn country to seek refuge abroad or fled to other parts of the country. A migration expert and a representative of a humanitarian group weigh in on the situation.

	July 26, 2007 Kidnappings Reflect Continuing Rise of Taliban A South Korean envoy headed to Afghanistan Wednesday, hoping to win the release of 22 South Korean hostages taken by the Taliban last week. One hostage was killed Tuesday. Experts talk about the status of the fighters.

	July 26, 2007 Senate Democrats Arrange Perjury Charges for Gonzales Senate Democrats are calling for a special counsel for investigation into the testimony of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The NewsHour reports on the counsel, designed to look into perjury charges brought against Gonzales.

	July 25, 2007 Freshmen Lawmakers Advocate Different Strategies in Iraq Last fall, five newly elected House members discussed their expectations for the 110th Congress. They returned to talk about their views on the Iraq war and actions the House is taking on the situation.

	July 25, 2007 Author Puts Faces on the Immigration Debate The new book "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream" features true stories about Mexican immigration into the United States. Its author, Sam Quinones, discusses his work and the larger immigration debate.

	July 24, 2007 Foreign Captives Released After Eight Years in Libyan Prison The NewsHour presents a report from Independent Television News about the release of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor who were in Libya on an AIDS mission and imprisoned for eight years.

	July 24, 2007 Zimbabwe President to Move Toward Nationalizing Foreign Firms In an effort to revive the suffering economy in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe announced plans to push toward nationalizing foreign firms. A professor and African policy expert consider the impacts on the African country.

	July 24, 2007 Democrats Face Voter Questions in New Format Democratic presidential hopefuls fielded questions directly from the voters Monday in a debate sponsored by CNN and the video sharing Web site YouTube. A reporter and political analyst discuss the candidates' answers and new debate format.

	July 24, 2007 Gonzales Testifies Before Senate on Attorney Firings Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, fielding questions about his interaction with former Attorney General John Ashcroft and about the firings of U.S. attorneys.

	July 24, 2007 U.S. Criticizes Iranian Role in Iraqi Violence as Security Talks Continue Three-way talks with U.S., Iranian and Iraqi officials held in Baghdad's Green Zone Tuesday over security in Iraq took a tense turn when U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker accused Iran of contributing to the violence by arming Shiite militias.

	July 23, 2007 Turkish Ruling Party Wins National Elections The ruling party in Turkey won parliamentary elections by a wide margin. A former State Department official and a Euro-Asian expert discuss what the election means for Turkey and the United States.

	July 20, 2007 Senate Debates Iraq Withdrawal; Report Shows Al-Qaida Regrouping As the Senate debated different proposals for redeploying troops from Iraq, the National Intelligence Estimate revealed that al-Qaida is regrouping despite the war on terrorism. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's events.

	July 20, 2007 Ambassador Khalilzad Discusses Role of U.N. in Iraq U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as the first post-Saddam Hussein U.S. ambassador to Iraq, discusses calls for an expanded U.N. role in Iraq, among other issues.

	July 20, 2007 Israel Frees 250 Palestinian Prisoners in Nod to Moderate Leadership Israel released 256 Palestinian prisoners Friday as part of a plan to help bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his ongoing power struggle with Hamas militants who now run the Gaza Strip.

	July 19, 2007 Alexander Touts Iraq Study Group Findings Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who has cosponsored legislation requiring President Bush to implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, is the next in a series of conversations about Iraq.

	July 19, 2007 Russia-Britain Relations Sour After Expulsion of Diplomats Russia expelled four British diplomats Thursday, days after England did the same in protest of Russia refusing to extradite a suspect in the murder investigation of a former Russian spy. A reporter provides an update.

	July 19, 2007 Candidates Find Top Dollars in Bottom-up Online Campaigns As the 2008 presidential campaign becomes known as the Internet election, candidates who are successful at building online communities are tapping into millions of dollars in donations.

	July 18, 2007 Coverage of Vitter Sex Scandal Raises Questions About Privacy Media coverage surrounding Sen. David Vitter, R-La., has raised questions about how private matters involving public figures become news. A media critic assesses the coverage of the latest Washington sex scandal.

	July 18, 2007 Edwards Wraps Up Eight-State Poverty Tour Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., ended his three-day "Road to One America" tour on Wednesday after visiting 12 cities in eight states to highlight issues facing Americans living in poverty. A professor and political columnist discuss his campaign.

	July 18, 2007 Biden Pushes Plan for Partitioned Iraq After Troop Drawdown A series of conversations about what may happen in Iraq after U.S. troops leave continues with Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who has been pushing for the partitioning Iraq into more clearly organized ethnic areas.

	July 18, 2007 Senate Falls Short on Iraq Troop Withdrawal Bill A bill that would have forced President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within 120 days fell short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. Democrats lost in their effort despite an all-night debate.

	July 18, 2007 Iraqi Government Slow to Reintegrate Baathists More than four years after military forces toppled Saddam Hussein's Baathist government, Iraq is wrestling with reintegrating former members of his party, a policy trumpeted by American leaders but met with tough resistance by some Iraqi factions.

	July 17, 2007 Senate Looks to Expand Children's Health Insurance Program The Senate is expected to move forward with a five-year extension of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers 6 million low-income children nationwide. Health correspondent Susan Dentzer provides an update on those efforts.

	July 17, 2007 Graham Defends Military Surge in Iraq Despite Calls for Pullout A series of conversations about what may happen in Iraq after U.S. troops leave continues with Senate Armed Services Committee member Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who supports President Bush's policy of troop buildup in Iraq.

	July 17, 2007 Social Web Sites Emerge as Way to Generate Supporters, Funds Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and long-shot Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas may not be leading in national polls, but their use of social networking Web sites tops their presidential rivals.

	July 16, 2007 Candidates Spend Millions in Race for White House With the Federal Election Commission's release of second quarter funding reports came questions about what the candidates actually do with the money this early in the race. A professor and a journalist dissect the expenditures of the 2008 presidential campaign.

	July 16, 2007 Levin Proposes Starting to Pull Troops from Iraq in Three Months A series of conversations about what may happen in Iraq after U.S. troops leave begins with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., who has proposed redeploying troops within 120 days.

	July 13, 2007 Political Analysts Discuss Lady Bird Johnson, Iraq Debate Columnists David Brooks and E.J. Dionne review the legacy of Lady Bird Johnson, and reports that showed little progress on Iraq benchmarks and al-Qaida gaining strength.

	July 13, 2007 Iraqi Government Faces Increasing Pressure on Benchmarks As Congress moves forward on requiring a troop withdrawal from Iraq, the Iraqi ambassador to Washington explains his government's wish for more time to reach its benchmarks, and two analysts discuss the debate.

	July 12, 2007 Report Reveals Mixed Progress on Iraq Benchmarks An interim report delivered to Congress Thursday revealed mixed progress on the political and military benchmarks set for Iraq's government by the United States. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, interpret the report and debate how it could affect legislation.

	July 11, 2007 Analysts Discuss McCain Campaign's Woes The presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has suffered some setbacks over the last few weeks with a low second-quarter fund-raising performance and the resignation of two top strategists. Two political reporters assess the state of the campaign.

	July 11, 2007 New Testimony on Fired Federal Prosecutors Former White House aide Sara Taylor testified before the Senate Wednesday on the firings of eight federal prosecutors in the Bush Administration. The NewsHour reports on new testimony from the trail.

	July 11, 2007 Senators Continue to Mull New Course in Iraq The Senate is debating key amendments on Iraq policy this week, focusing on troop withdrawal. The NewsHour reports on the highlights of the debate and how the chamber might proceed.

	July 10, 2007 Former Surgeon General Reports Political Pressure Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona told the Senate Tuesday the Bush administration silenced him on key issues. He speaks with the NewsHour about his testimony and tenure.

	July 10, 2007 Columnists Discuss Public's Perception on Iraq A recent USA-Gallup poll shows a majority of Americans strongly favor a timeline for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Regional op-ed columnists discuss this slide in support for the current policy.

	July 10, 2007 Senate Debates Iraq Policy The Senate is considering amendments that would set a deadline for withdrawing troops from Iraq. The NewsHour reports on the debate.

	July 10, 2007 Top McCain Team Out as Campaign Purge Continues Arizona Sen. John McCain's campaign manager Terry Nelson and chief strategist John Weaver issued their resignations Tuesday from the Republican presidential candidate's campaign.

	July 9, 2007 Senators Assess Iraq Strategy, Troop Presence The White House said Monday that President Bush has no immediate plans to withdraw troops from Iraq. As the Senate heads into a week of voting on Iraq policy, two senators debate the current strategy.

	July 6, 2007 Libby Sentence Nullified; Candidates Release Fund-raising Numbers Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's news, including President Bush's decision to commute I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's prison sentence, and Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls' second quarter fund-raising results.

	July 5, 2007 Students and Security Forces Clash at Pakistan Mosque At least 19 people have been killed since Tuesday at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, where clerics and their followers have clashed with security forces. A journalist and a political scientist discuss the developments.

	July 4, 2007 Experts Discuss Global Democracy Journalists, international policy experts and a former Bush administration official talk about the spread of democracy around the world and in particular President Bush's plans to promote democracy.

	July 4, 2007 BBC Reporter Freed as Hamas Consolidates Control in Gaza BBC reporter Alan Johnston was released Wednesday after 16 weeks of imprisonment, an indication of Hamas' control over the restive Gaza Strip. A New York Times reporter speaks about the effects of the group's control.

	July 3, 2007 Candidates Celebrate the Fourth in Iowa's Battleground Presidential candidates have been swarming to Iowa, making 60 visits in June alone, to gain supporters for the first-in-the-nation caucus there on Jan. 14. Democratic and Republican party leaders in Iowa provide their assessments of the campaigns.

	July 3, 2007 Libby Prison Commutation Elicits Anger, Applause President Bush refused to rule out a pardon for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Tuesday, the day after he commuted the former aide's prison term, evoking emotions from both sides of the aisle. Two experts give their views.

	July 3, 2007 Iraqis Move Step Closer to Approving Oil Law Iraq's cabinet unanimously approved a draft oil revenue-sharing law Tuesday, sending it to parliament for debate on Wednesday and moving toward a key political goal set by the United States.

	July 2, 2007 Presidents Bush, Putin Agree on Iran, Not on Missile Shield President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Maine Monday to discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions and a missile defense system in Europe. Foreign policy analysts assess where the two leaders made progress.

	July 2, 2007 Obama Tops Rivals, McCain Slips in Campaign Fund Raising Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., raised $32.5 million for his presidential campaign over the past three months, besting the other candidates. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., meanwhile, raised less than his first-quarter figure. Two campaign reporters examine the numbers.

	July 2, 2007 With Two Top GOP Candidates Out, Role of Iowa Straw Poll Remains Cloudy After two major Republican presidential candidates announced they would forgo Iowa's straw poll in August, political pundits questioned the event's relevance, while other campaigns seized the opportunity to gain greater visibility by attending.



	JUNE June 29, 2007 Court Rulings Draw Fire; Senate Derails Immigration Bill Again Politicians on both sides of the aisle reacted to a series of close Supreme Court decisions, while a controversial immigration bill died in the Senate. Political analysts Mark Shields and Rich Lowry discuss these developments.

	June 29, 2007 Democrats' Debate Focuses on Minority Issues Democratic presidential hopefuls discussed a number of issues facing minority voters in the United States at a debate held Thursday at Howard University. The NewsHour presents some highlights.

	June 28, 2007 Experts Analyze Bush's Refusal to Release Subpoenaed Documents The White House invoked executive privilege Thursday when it refused to release documents relating to the firing of nine federal prosecutors. The NewsHour talks with two former government officials, Doug Kmiec and Bruce Fein, about the