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In a speech to the United Nations Tuesday, President Bush defended his decision to launch the war in Iraq, and asked for help with reconstruction there. Sen. John Kerry says the president has snubbed the U.N. too many times and lacks the international credibility needed to rally other nations to the cause. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Japan's foreign minister leaves China after meetings about the violent anti-Japanese protests over the last three weeks. Neither side appeared conciliatory, amid disputes over Japanese textbooks' portrayal of Japan's role in World War II and Japan's application for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Bush administration estimates it will take six months for Iraqis to draft a constitution, once an Iraqi commission is formed for that purpose. The announcement follows a day of intense meetings between U.S., Russian, EU and U.N. officials looking for ways to revive the Mideast peace process. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and New York University law professor Noah Feldman.

Former U.N. weapons inspector David Kay's report on the search for banned Iraqi arms is receiving varying interpretations. Pointing to Kay's findings that Iraq intended to build chemical and biological weapons, President Bush finds support for claims that Saddam Hussein was a danger to the world. But congressional Democrats stress that no weapons have been found so far. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook and NPR's Don Gonyea.

Three days after the U.N. Security Council lifts sanctions on Iraq, the U.S.-appointed interim oil minister says the country will restore pre-war oil production and begin exporting within the next few weeks. In Baghdad, Iraqis express anger at the shortage of gas and complain that much of the existing oil is being smuggled out of the country. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

The U.N. Security Council is expected to approve a resolution that would end more than a decade of sanctions against Iraq, after France and Russia announce their support. The resolution would also allow the United States and Britain to run the country and use oil profits to fund reconstruction until a new government is established. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

U.S. efforts to enlist security help from allies in postwar Iraq are met with frustration. Turkey, Pakistan and India have said no, citing the need for a new U.N. resolution on the governance of Iraq. But even if the Security Council does pass such a resolution, those nations have grave reservations about sending forces to Iraq. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

On a campaign trip through the Midwest, President Bush defends his decision to invade Iraq, saying it was justified despite that no weapons of mass destruction have been found. Before a crowd of supporters in Marquette, Mich., the president emphasized that the U.N. Security Council and other U.S. leaders had found Iraq to be a threat. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.

Iraq's new interim government is announced, with Sunni leader Ghazi al-Yawer named as the country's president. Al-Yawer was previously a member of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, which dissolved itself after the choices were made final. The new leadership, to take power on June 30, was chosen by U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in consultation with the council. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Just days before Afghanistan's first-ever modern democratic election, President Hamid Karzai is all but guaranteed to win. But Karzai, who was appointed to his post by a vote of tribal elders, may not get the 50 percent of the ballot he needs to avoid a rundown election. Hear NPR's John Ydstie and Barnett Rubin, a New York University scholar and U.N. advisor.