THIS WEEK
THIS WEEK
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Diplomacy at Home
As crisis looms all over the Middle East, from Iran and Iraq to Israel and Lebanon, world leaders closely aligned with President Bush will visit him this week.
Tomorrow, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki comes to Washington. Bush and Maliki largely agree on what needs to happen in Iraq, but Maliki has criticized Israeli actions in Lebanon, while Bush has remained in steadfast support of Israel. On Wednesday, Maliki will travel to Fort Belvoir, Va., with the president to lunch with military personnel and their families. He will also address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Bush will welcome another Iraq ally, Romanian President Traian Basescu. Then on Friday, Bush's strongest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, comes to Washington to discuss the Middle East crises. It will be Blair's second visit here in less than two months.
CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN: Former president Bill Clinton heads to Westbury, Conn., today to shore up support for Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, who is facing a brutal primary challenge from antiwar businessman Ned Lamont. Tomorrow, Clinton will attend a fundraiser for his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.). She has an easy Senate reelection campaign but is raising funds to distribute to other Democrats this year.
THE HOUSE RETIRES: The House holds its last week of business before lawmakers begin an August of campaigning and immigration field hearings. Accordingly, it (and the Senate) may take up the controversial bill to overhaul the nation's pension system this week.
NUCLEAR OPTION: Congress may also pass on Wednesday a law to allow a nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and India -- cooperation that boosters say will have economic benefits for both countries but which detractors say might jeopardize the region's nuclear balance.
BOLTING BOLTON: The temporary tenure of U.N. Ambassador John R. Bolton, whom Bush controversially appointed last year during a congressional recess, will come to the fore Thursday, when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a new hearing on his appointment. Recently, committee member Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio), who had opposed the nomination, announced he would support Bolton. Without approval, Bolton's appointment expires at year's end.
-- Zachary A. Goldfarb
