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In New York this week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues a long tradition of world leaders who have used a United Nations visit to take pot shots at their host.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a controversial appearance at Columbia University, outlining his positions on a variety of social and diplomatic issues. Introducing the Iranian president, Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia University, called him a "petty and cruel dictator."

Streams of orange-robed Buddhist monks march though the streets of Yangon, Myanmar, for the sixth day. The monks are joined by protesters in the biggest wave of anti-government demonstrations in more than 20 years.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is at the U.N. promoting a plan for a peace conference to discuss Palestinian statehood. Rice has made the issue one of her priorities, but observers say she faces an uphill battle on many fronts.

The question of who monitors security companies in Iraq takes on new urgency after a fatal shooting involving Blackwater USA guards. Laws governing foreign security companies may be changed as a result of Iraqi anger over the incident.

Private security contractors such as Blackwater USA are under scrutiny for their role in Iraq. The State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security lacks the manpower to protect its officials so it relies on contractors. Contractors operating in Iraq are immune from prosecution.

A joint commission of Iraqi and U.S. officials is examining incidents involving the Blackwater security firm, including the deaths of civilians in a melee last week in Baghdad. Prime Minister Maliki is directing harsh rhetoric at the company.

Iraqi authorities have revoked the U.S. security firm Blackwater's license to work in Iraq, but the impact of the move is unclear. Over the weekend, Blackwater personnel guarding a convoy opened fire, reportedly killing nine civilians and wounding at least 15 others.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has taken a controversial stand against his country's parliament in support of his foreign minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

President Bush calls his plan to gradually reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq "a return on success." He calls for an "enduring relationship" with Iraq that will stretch beyond his presidency.