Political Analysis Following Europe Trip, Bush Looks to Domestic Issues February 28, 2005 • NPR's Cokie Roberts talks about President Bush's European trip and where his domestic agenda stands.
Politics Analysis: Bush's Success Mending Political Fences February 28, 2005 • President Bush recently visited Europe, trying to mend political rifts caused by the war in Iraq and attempting to garner support for a range of causes. Among them: curbing Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions, sustaining an Israeli-Palestinian peace and safeguarding democracy' fragile hold in Russia. NPR's Ed Gordon examines the trip with Calvin Sims, editorial producer with New York Times Television and a former New York Times foreign correspondent, and Michael Fletcher, White House reporter with The Washington Post.
Politics Evaluating Bush's European Trip February 28, 2005 • Last week, President Bush visited Europe for the first time since his 2004 re-election. Hoping to move beyond European leaders' opposition to the Iraq War, he tried to rally support for several new causes. NPR's Christopher Johnson reports.
World Democracy Building in the Former Soviet Union February 26, 2005 • When President Bush and Russian president Vladimir Putin met in Slovakia this week, much of the talk was about democracy, and whether Russia was backtracking from democratic reforms. What is the United States doing to promote democracy in Russia and other former Soviet states, such as Kyrgyzstan?
Opinion Analysis Assessing Bush's European Trip February 26, 2005 • Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief of The Economist magazine, talks about President Bush's European trip and its impact on tensions between the United States and Europe.
Social Security Debate Social Security Plan Combines Privatization, Income Cap Raise February 24, 2005 • A proposal that offers a long-term fix for Social Security involves reducing the annual cost-of-living adjustments that compensate retirees for inflation. The plan raises the cap on income subject to Social Security payroll taxes, and adds private accounts as ways to fill the funding gaps in the Social Security program.
World Bush to Press Putin on Democratic Reforms February 24, 2005 • At a brief summit in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, President Bush is expected to urge Russian president Vladimir Putin to renew his commitment to democracy. That pledge has been called into question by recent crackdowns on the Russian news media and more centralized Kremlin control.
World Bush Makes Slovakia Final Stop on European Trip February 24, 2005 • President Bush meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic. It's the final stop on a five-day European tour where the president has worked to sooth relations with allies who opposed the Iraq war.
Politics Bush Addresses Iran's Nuclear Aspirations February 23, 2005 • President Bush is in Germany for discussions with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on NATO's future and Iran's nuclear program. The president Tuesday denied the United States is planning military action against Iran, but then added that "all options are on the table." Wednesday, the president emphasized that "diplomacy is just beginning."
Politics Bush, Schroeder Stress Agreements in Germany February 23, 2005 • President Bush travels to Germany to meet with one of the most vocal foes to his policies toward Iran, Iraq and China. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and the president focused on areas of agreement, though a recent survey shows that almost 60 percent of Germans disapprove of American foreign policy.
Social Security Debate Examining the 'Model Two' Social Security Plan February 23, 2005 • A plan to shore up Social Security called "Model Two" would remove the existing link between retirement benefits and increases in the country's overall living standard. Instead of being based on wage increases, benefits would be tied to price inflation. Prices tend to rise more slowly than wages, so future payments also would rise more slowly.
Politics Bush Talks Mideast Peace, Iraq with NATO, EU February 22, 2005 • In Brussels, Belgium, President Bush meets with NATO and European Union leaders. The president has pledged full U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process, pleasing European allies. He also won assurances of training assistance in Iraq from all 26 NATO member nations.
Politics T.R. Reid on Bush Visit and Europe as Super Power February 22, 2005 • T.R. Reid, Washington Post Rocky Mountain bureau chief, talks about President Bush's visit to Europe. Reid discusses what it will take for the president to patch relations with the European Union. Reid is the author of The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy.
Bush Makes Ready for Trip to Europe February 19, 2005 • President Bush is off to Europe Sunday, with a focus on mending fences with allies. He goes first to Belgium, then travels to Germany and finally Slovakia for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Negroponte Picked as Intelligence Chief February 19, 2005 • Diplomat John Negroponte is President Bush's choice for the new post of national intelligence director. If confirmed by the Senate he will oversee 15 separate intelligence agencies. His most recent post for the Bush administration was ambassador to Iraq.