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One of the biggest obstacles to free and fair elections in Afghanistan are the countries warlords. Commanding private armies and controlling vast sections of the country, there is little chance that democracy can come to Afghanistan if these warlords aren't disarmed by this September's election. In the final report in this series, NPR's Renee Montagne looks at efforts to disarm these powerful figures and how they are re-inventing themselves as political leaders.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani defends the actions of city personnel who responded to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Giuliani tells the Sept. 11 commission that the time for blame has passed. His remarks drew heckles from the audience, which earlier heard a report that shortcomings in the city's communications raised the disaster's death toll.

The Pentagon is expected to replace Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez as the top U.S. commander in Iraq. President Bush called Sanchez "exemplary," and officials say his transfer is part of a long-planned reorganization. Nevertheless, the move leaves the impression in some quarters that the administration is not satisfied with Sanchez's performance in Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Two Iraqis suspected of involvement in the beheading of American Nicholas Berg earlier this month are under arrest. Also, there are reports of continued clashes in southern Iraq between U.S. forces and Shiite Muslim militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Peter Kenyon.

The World Health Organization formally adopts an anti-obesity initiative, calling for countries to encourage cutting out fat, sugar and salt in favor of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. The plan ends two years of debate over the rules. By some accounts, the sugar lobby has been the strongest opponent to elements of the initiative. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports.

Members of Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority on Friday unanimously choose Iyad Allawi to be the prime minister of the interim government that will take office on July 1, 2004. U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi welcomes the move, but a U.S. spokesman indicates the selection is not yet final. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports from Baghdad.

North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' failure to win either of the two Southern primaries up for grabs Tuesday has led some to question the future viability of his presidential campaign. Edwards says he plans to campaign in Wisconsin each day until the state's Feb. 17 primary, and has no intention of withdrawing from the race. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.

In the worst attack in Iraq since August, 56 people died Sunday and more than 200 wounded in twin suicide bombings. The near simultaneous explosions took place in the northern city of Irbil, inside the separate headquarters of Iraq's two leading Kurdish political parties. The offices were crowded with guests invited to celebrate a Muslim holy day. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Sen. John Edwards insists he is the Democratic candidate best equipped to be the party's standard-bearer, as he makes an overt appeal to the supporters of Howard Dean and Ralph Nader. Democratic frontrunner John Kerry has all but ignored Edwards and mocked President Bush for "running away from his own record" on the economy and jobs. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

The AFL-CIO is expected to endorse Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign Wednesday. The support of the 13-million-member labor organization is a major milestone for Kerry, who at first had trouble attracting union endorsements. It also gives him an advantage over rival Sen. John Edwards, who has courted union support aggressively. NPR's Robert Smith reports.