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Iraq's interim government seeks to stem the rampant lawlessness that has plagued Baghdad since the fall of Saddam Hussein more than a year ago. A raid that began Monday night has netted more than 500 suspected criminals. But that may not be enough to stop the wave of kidnappings for ransom that have swept the capital. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Howlin' Wolf electrified the blues of the Mississippi Delta and laid a foundation for rock 'n' roll in the early 1950s. His lyrics, delivered in a gruff, haunting voice, evoked his hard-life experiences.

Both sides in the Iraq war use propaganda, but the insurgencies are becoming more and more sophisticated - broadcast quality videos of actual attacks, and the like. U.S. commanders sometimes use the videos to show their troops how the other side fights. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

An active CIA officer raised eyebrows by contending in a book that the United States is losing the war on terror. In his second NPR interview, the author of Imperial Hubris says U.S. policymakers made important mistakes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Crowds of Iraqis descend on the passport office in Baghdad, demanding documents to travel abroad. Many are upset that bureaucrats representing the new interim government are not doing a quicker job of issuing the documents. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Despite new security rules aimed at quelling the Iraqi insurrection, there has been fresh fighting in some areas. At least five American soldiers died in a mortar attack. The interim Iraqi government acknowledges the severity of the insurrection and pledges to combat it. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves and NPR's Melissa Block.

Iraq's interim government unveils new security laws aimed at curbing the country's deadly insurgency. The new powers would allow the interim government to impose emergency rule in trouble spots. On the same day the new measures were announced, insurgents battled U.S. troops in the heart of Baghdad. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi signs into law a measure that gives him broad powers of martial rule to fight the ongoing insurgency. Under the law's provisions, Allawi can declare emergency rule and impose curfews in any part of the country threatened by instability. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and NPR's Philip Reeves.

U.S. warplanes strike a suspected safehouse of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Fallujah. Bombs created a 30-foot crater and killed at least 10 people, including women and children, according to Iraqi witnesses. Meanwhile, three Marines are killed in a guerrilla attack in Anbar province. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding a U.S. Marine held hostage in Iraq. The Lebanese-born corporal, Wassef Ali Hassoun, is being held by militants whose website posted a claim Saturday that he was beheaded by the Army of Ansar al-Sunna. The group has since denied killing him. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.