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Senate confirmation hearings begin for diplomat Ryan Crocker as the next ambassador to Baghdad. President Bush picked career foreign-service officers for that job, and for the ambassador to Afghanistan. The men look likely to be confirmed quickly.

Debate continues in the U.S. House heading toward a Friday vote on a resolution disapproving of President Bush's announced and partially implemented troop surge in Iraq.

Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), chairman of a key House subcommittee, opposes plans to increase troop strength in Iraq and intends to work toward closing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

North Korea has agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons programs in two phases: First, it will shut down its main nuclear plant, readmit international inspectors and receive energy aid. Next, Pyongyang is to declare and disable all its nuclear weapons programs, and get even more energy aid.

Robert Siegel talks with Ashton Carter, co-director of the Preventive Defense Project at the Kennedy School at Harvard University. Carter served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Policy during President Clinton's first term. During that time, he oversaw negotiations with North Korea over their nuclear program.

U.S. officials report that the government in Tehran is approving weapons shipments to extremists in Iraq. Some question the credibility of the evidence. A former weapons inspector, a strategist and an intelligence official examine the reports and offer reaction.

Palestinian government officials have been spreading out across the region, trying to sell their new unity government. Israel says it wants to study the document to see if it meets their minimum demands for recognition of Israel, denouncing violence and abiding by all previous agreements. Also, the decision to construct an access ramp near the Temple Mount caused further tension between Israelis and Palestinians last week.

Six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program enter a third day in Beijing, with a draft agreement that could lead to the shutdown of the nation's main nuclear reactor. Is any true progress being made?

In China, diplomats from six countries discuss initial steps toward dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Talks have been stalled since December. Upon arriving for the talks, North Korea's nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye Gwan said, "We are prepared to discuss first-stage measures."

Six-nation talks aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program will resume Thursday in Beijing. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, leader of the U.S. delegation, offers his insights.