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Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) forms a presidential exploratory committee and says that he will announce his plans — to run for the top office or not — on Feb. 10. Obama's move allows him to raise money for a presidential candidacy.

President Bush's secretaries of State and Defense spent their days defending his new plan in Iraq, first at a White House news conference and then on Capitol Hill. Secretaries Rice and Gates found only minimal support for a greater troop commitment in Congress.

Steve Inskeep talks to Ken Menkhaus, professor of Political Science at Davidson College in North Carolina. He analyzes the U.S. military strike in Somalia.

President Bush says it is "vital" that Congress quickly confirm the changes he has made to his national security team. With new commanders and new policies in the works for Iraq, the White House seems to be clearing the decks at home as well, with a number of top-level personnel changes.

Lt. Gen. David Petraeus is expected to take command in Iraq and oversee President Bush's new policy. A graduate of West Point, Petraeus commanded the fabled 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq and went on to become the top trainer for Iraqi forces.

Reports say President Bush's new Iraq strategy is likely to be carried out by new commanders. Media reports say the president will replace the two top generals in the region.

A new book argues that Motown was a step in the evolution of the American popular song, a tradition reaching back to songwriters like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.

Artist Joseph Cornell created works out of framed boxes filled with found objects. His work is on display now at an exhibit called "Navigating the Imagination," hosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates spent three days in Iraq this week, meeting with senior military officials and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Saturday, he joins President Bush for further discussions of Iraq policy.

Michele Norris talks with E.J. Dionne, a columnist for The Washington Post, and Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review. They talk about President Bush's press conference in which he discussed Iraq, the economy, and how he might work with a Democrat-controlled Congress.