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Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, President Bush's nominee to replace Gen. Tommy Franks as head of the U.S. Central Command defends the pre-war intelligence the administration presented on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Lt. Gen. John Abizaid says he expects U.S. forces to remain in Iraq "a long time" but declines to offer specifics. NPR's David Welna reports.

U.S. troops capture nearly three dozen suspected fighters in the second day of raids on homes and building in central Iraq. Operation Sidewinder is aimed at finding those behind the recent surge in attacks against U.S. military personnel. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Otis Taylor plays a style of music he calls "drone blues," a hypnotic, loosely-structured form of guitar meandering. A former antiques dealer, he writes lyrics based on themes of injustice informed by his love of history. Guest host John Ydstie speaks with Taylor about his new CD, Truth Is Not Fiction (Telarc Records, catalog # 83587).

Alan Cheuse reviews The Colour by Rose Tremain. Set in New Zealand in the 1800s, the story centers around the Gold Rush there.

At the Call Center de Solidaritate, volunteers answer calls as they come in. On the other end of the line is a Ukrainian refugee in search of assistance.

Liane Hansen speaks with Monique Truong, author of the novel The Book of Salt. (Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN: 0618304002) From a few lines in The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book, Truong reimagines the Vietnamese cook who was hired by the famous residents at 27 Rue de Fleurus. Binh, as he calls himself, is an exile from his homeland, where he was denounced because of a homosexual relationship and banished by his brutal father.

While morale has become a problem for some U.S. troops in Iraq, the men of Saber Platoon, of the first brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division, are going strong. They're on the lookout for supporters of the ousted regime in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Robert Siegel talks with director Stephen Frears. His latest film is called Dirty Pretty Things. It's a murder mystery.

A special 11-part weekly series, airing Fridays on Morning Edition, highlights the creation of the American musical traditions that give this country its own unique sound. Part III examines the influential connections between gospel music and country and bluegrass.

One hundred years ago, Horatio Nelson Jackson took up the challenge of a $50 bet and stood up for the latest trend in technology -- the automobile. Jackson won the bet, driving the car across the country. The story of this epic, months-long motor trip is the subject of a new book by Dayton Duncan. All Things Considered host Robert Siegel talks with Duncan, and see photos from the historic journey online.