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Several drugs are currently FDA-approved to treat Alzheimer's disease. At best, these drugs lead to only modest improvements in the cognitive functions of patients; none can stop the destruction of brain cells that underlies the illness. Michele Norris surveys the current treatment landscape with Jerry Yesavage of Stanford University's Alzheimer's Disease Center.

The next major deadline for Iraq's new government is an Aug. 15 deadline to draft and endorse a permanent constitution. But there's an escape clause that could delay the process up to six months. Larry Diamond and Michael Rubin, former political advisers to the Coalition Provisional Authority, discuss the issues involved.

Senate Republicans and White House officials are attempting to curtail criticism of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales by conservative interest groups. Gonzales has been mentioned as a possible replacement for the seat vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced her retirement from the Supreme Court last Friday. Robert Siegel talks with New York Times reporter David Kirkpatrick, who co-wrote an article about the White House's efforts.

The board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting meets this week to select a new president. Several people familiar with the process say one finalist is expected to be Patricia Harrison, an assistant U.S. Secretary of State. She's also a former co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee.

A Senate committee demands that the Pentagon release information explaining its rationale for the proposed closing of dozens of military bases across the country. We look at how one Connecticut community is responding to the Pentagon's long-term base-closure strategy.

The Senate Judiciary Committee debates the legal rights of detainees at the U.S. Navy prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The panel is also considering what branch or branches of government are authorized to determine procedures for prisoners.

Slate contributor Timothy Noah details his experience walking around Washington, D.C., Wednesday when an unidentified plane breached the restricted airspace over the Capitol, Supreme Court, White House and other key federal buildings. Noah explains why it's both comforting and alarming that officials seem unwilling to shoot down such aircraft.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is to announce recommendations for U.S. military base closings. This round is expected to slash up to 10 percent of capacity, down from earlier estimates of 20 to 25 percent. Plans to house U.S. troops returning from overseas affected the numbers.

NPR National Security Correspondent Jackie Northam answers questions about the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the detainees from the war on terror who are held there.

Melissa Block talks with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. Karzai is in Washington meeting with U.S. President George Bush.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says lots of things are going poorly in the Middle East -- like the Iraq constitution process and the pullout from Gaza. But he can point to one positive development: the deal to save the Gaza greenhouses.

A federally subsidized telephone service uses the Internet to link deaf and hearing callers, but the service is plagued by pranksters and outright fraud. Even businesses are getting scammed.

Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, talks about his efforts to crisscross the country in search of increased African-American support for the GOP. Small percentage point increases in black voting for Republicans have proven decisive in some regions.

U.S. military officials say at least eight American soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours in Iraq. Earlier Tuesday, a blast in central Baghdad killed at least two people and wounded eight. A series of explosions Monday killed nearly 50 people and wounded more than 120.

Alex Chadwick talks to Slate legal affairs writer Emily Bazelon about how the so-called "war on terror" may be influencing national policy on torture. Slate has published an extensive collection of data and documents on the events leading up to the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the U.S. government's response to numerous allegations of prisoner abuse.

Israel of releases nearly 400 Palestinian prisoners as part of a February agreement between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The former detainees were taken from jails to checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza.

Automotive analyst Maryann Keller offers analysis on General Motors' decision to close plants and cut jobs. Keller says GM has restructured itself over a dozen times in the last 30 years and believes the only way for the automaker to improve is to make better products.

Nigeria's next big product may be something it has been burning off for years: natural gas. But in the rush to build a natural gas infrastructure, Nigeria's well-earned reputation for corruption may have touched some American companies.

Two weeks after the death of Pope John Paul II, the process of electing a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church formally begins. The public was invited to Monday morning's Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. But the actual conclave, meeting in the Sistine Chapel, is shrouded in secrecy.

Physicist Brian Greene believes that in unraveling the mysteries of the universe, we can find an appreciation for our own place in the cosmos and be inspired by the drama of exploration and discovery.

An Environmental Protection Agency draft proposal would change the way pollution from power plants is measured -- changes that critics say would undermine clean air laws. The document could limit pollution on an hourly -- not yearly -- basis.

A federal investigation of allegations that China is illegally avoiding duties on solar panels sold to U.S. companies is putting the brakes on the nation's solar power build-out.

Electronic musician Moby talks about juggling business with his intensely personal and idiosyncratic music. He is currently touring in support of his latest album Hotel.

Stephen Freccero, a former U.S. Attorney and prosecutor in the Unabomber case, explains how authorities used library records to confirm a tip given by the Unabomber's brother that ultimately led to the conviction of Ted Kasczynski.

Michele Norris talks with Scott Graham, editor-in-chief of the Recorder and CalLaw.com, about California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown, President Bush's nominee to a federal appeals court. He explains why some of her opinions on that court have been so controversial.