Hamid Karzai

This week, the Senate faced a crucial vote on health care. The Obama administration fended off criticism over Sept. 11 trials in New York, and Hamid Karzai was sworn in for another term as president of Afghanistan.

A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle killed 16 people, including two children and a policeman, and wounded at least 23 others Friday in a busy city square in western Afghanistan, officials said. Provincial Gov.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday predicted that she can corral enough moderate Democrats to guarantee passage of health care overhaul legislation — even if it doesn't contain a controversial House proposal that would expand abortion limits.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged Thursday to prosecute corrupt officials, and said the country would control it own security within five years.

JIM LEHRER: And, in other news today: The House voted to spare doctors from 20 percent cuts in Medicare payments. The move will add more than $200 billion to the federal deficit.

Gwen Ifill speaks with Afghanistan experts about the government's corruption and what that could mean for U.S. war strategy there. JIM LEHRER: That follows Gwen Ifill's look at corruption in Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the eve of his inauguration to discuss corruption. Gwen Ifill reports.

Eikenberry's misgivings center on a concern that bolstering the American presence in Afghanistan could make the country more reliant on the U.S. , not less.