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The article looks at Alaska Governor and 2008 U.S. Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. The article looks at her upbringing as a devout Christian, questions on her willingness to work with opponents when she fired senior city officials after becoming Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and the "Troopergate" incident in which she allegedly used her powers as Governor of Alaska to have Mike Wooten, her ex-brother-in-law, removed from the Alaska State Troopers.

Discusses the outlook for nation-building in Afghanistan by the United States, in the war of the U.S. against terrorism. Outlook for the Taliban Movement in Afghanistan; Questions concerning the cooperation of Afghan citizens in the war against the Taliban; Outlook for the role of U.S. President George W. Bush in the nation-building.

Discusses the controversy over drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. Description of the area; Discussion of the frontier in the United States; Question of values, and of whether wilderness should be drilled or protected; Question of how much oil is beneath the ANWR coastal plain.

Discusses the terrorist attack on the United States Naval ship, the USS Cole, in Yemen. How Osama bin Laden is a suspect in the attack; Details on the attack which killed 17 U.S. sailors; Influence of the attack on the Middle East peace negotiations; Views of U.S. President Bill Clinton on the terrorist bombing.

The article discusses U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Biden has been one of few U.S. politicians questioning U.S. President Barack Obama's focus on Afghanistan and suggesting more focus be paid to Pakistan due to Al Qaeda having most of its base there. Biden is often thought of as someone who is unable to control their comments but he is often considered loyal and a benefit to Obama.

The article discusses the history of the rising conflict between Islam and the West. It describes jihadist Mohammad Abdille Hassan, also called the Mad Mullah, and his battle victory over British troops commanded by Richard Corfield in Dul Madoba, Somalia in 1913. It notes that in Islamic culture, sagas of past jihads inspire new ones. It notes today's so-called forever war waged by Islamic extremists against the West.

The article discusses the personal history of 2008 U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama and his search for identity, noting his mixed-race background and his ceasing to use his nickname "Barry" during his time at Occidental College. Obama's youth growing up in Hawaii and Indonesia is described. Obama's autobiographical book, "Dreams From My Father," is cited.

The article looks at U.S. Senator John McCain's opinions on U.S. President Barack Obama's foreign policy. McCain strongly supports Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, however, he opposes his decision to set a July 2011 date for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers. McCain, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has advocated for an increase of American troops in Afghanistan before Obama's announcement.

Focuses on the custody fight for the 6-year-old Cuban exile Elian Gonzalez. The trip to the United States by his grandmothers, Mariela Quintana and Raquel Rodriguez, to return him to his father in Cuba; Efforts of anti-Castro relatives in Miami, Florida to keep the boy in the US; Reason that Elian's father did not come to the US.

The article discusses the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against U.S. forces in the Iraq War. Insurgents have used IEDs to spring ambushes against U.S. troops. IEDs can be constructed economically from information off the Internet using items such as disposable phones and garage-door openers. Explosively formed projectiles are IEDs shot from cannons that can damage tanks. The U.S. military has begin outfitting vehicles with increased armor to protect soldiers.

An interview with U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau representative Elizabeth Warren is presented. Topics include the scheduled July 2011 opening of the agency, changes that U.S. consumers may expect in the administration of home mortgages, and prospects for enacting legislation to deal with mortgage documentation.

Discusses the troubling conditions in Somalia. Presence of Islamic radicals and Arab militants; View that Somalia is a 'mini-Afghanistan'; Past United States activity in Somalia, including the launch of Operation Restore Hope to save Somalis from starvation; Role of Osama bin Laden in the alleged 'humiliation' of American forces in Somalia; How Al Qaeda leaders apparently set up training camps in Somalia; Which fundamentalist groups are present; Outlook for U.S. involvement in Somalia.

Discusses the story of a family who lost loved ones when a plane carrying United States missionaries was shot down by a Peruvian Air Force jet. Reasons for the jet firing on the plane, which included intelligence information suggesting that the plane was carrying drugs; Discussion of the Air Bridge Denial Program in Latin America; Doubts of the U.S. drug-fighting strategies; How Jim Bowers lost a wife and child in the incident.

An interview with Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and assistant to the U.S. president for public engagement and intergovernmental affairs, is presented. When asked how U.S. President Barack Obama's life has changed since becoming president, Jarrett responds that he will never be able to meet a random stranger and have a conversation. Jarrett comments on Obama's plan to have a regular date night with his wife, and Obama's decision regarding church attendance.

Discusses the role of United States peacekeeping troops in Bosnia. Concern of Muslims that George W. Bush will phase out U.S. forces; View of Europeans that international protection of ethnic-cleansing victims is needed and that the U.S. has a responsibility to deal with the world's problems.

Criticizes United States Republican-led Senate opposition to ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Political reasons for Republican rejection of the treaty; Treaty history; Nuclear threat inherent in relations between Pakistan and India; International implications of rejection; Response to objections.

Discusses the prevalence of anti-American terrorist activity in Greece as of June, 2000. Murder of Stephen Saunders, a military attache to the British Embassy; Activities of terrorist group November 17; Suspicion of United States and British governments that Greece's socialist government is not taking the necessary steps to combat terrorism.

Discusses the decision made by United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to place restrictions on international family-planning programs. Efforts to get Republicans agree to pay US arrears at the United Nations; Reaction of Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Risk of the United States to lose its vote in the UN General Assembly; Details of the agreement; Impact of the decision on the 2000 presidential campaign.

States that a union leader in the United States was invited to the inauguration of South Korean President Kim Dae Jung. The efforts of Herb Mills to prevent the execution of Kim in 1981 by South Korea's military dictatorship; Mills being a dockworker and member of ILWU, a union that champions democratic dissidents.

Discusses the withdrawal of the United States from the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty with Russia so that it could test prohibited missile defense systems. View that Russia will win political points for being seen as a peacemaker; Idea that there was nothing Russia could have done to prevent the U.S. from backing out of the treaty; Problems for Russia, including a militant Islamic rebellion in Chechnya; How the U.S. may decide to help Russia, including debt relief; Idea that Russia wants a strategic relationship with the U.S.