The future of the iconic American automaker isn’t so American anymore. Last week, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy and made a deal with the Italian automaker FIAT, which will control at least twenty percent of the company initially, and maybe more down the road. And there may even be a move to get GM’s German subsidiary, Opel in on a three-way deal.

So what lies on the road ahead for American autoworkers and their new Italian bosses? No one knows for sure, but when Japanese automakers Honda and Toyota set up shop in America in the 1980s, American autoworkers were asking similar questions. Joining The Takeaway to offer advice to workers facing a new era at Chrysler are two Americans who worked for Japanese car manufacturers. Jim Harbour worked for 28 years in the automotive industry as a manager and director in the engineering and financial services at Ford and Chrysler Corporation and Tim Garrett is the retired vice-president of administration at Honda.

Chrysler is going to drive on into the future... an uncertain future with a few glimmers of hope. As we have been reporting, last week the landmark American car brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and formed an alliance with Italian automaker, FIAT. FIAT will take an initial 20% stake in the company with incentives to take more. But will Fiat’s corporate culture mix with Detroit-style automaking? And how are the unions responding? To help answer those questions we are joined by Karl Ludvigsen, the former Executive Vice-President of FIAT North America.

One thing for American buyers to look forward to, George Clooney comes free with every FIAT:

Looks like H1N1 virus, still more popularly known as the swine flu, is waning in Mexico. The virus has sickened at least 245 people in the U.S., and killed a young boy. So what lies ahead? Obviously no one (except maybe psychic John Edwards) knows for sure, but some disease trackers are mapping a possible course. How? Well, a computer simulation out of Northwestern University is taking inspiration from an unusual source: the dollar bill. Donald McNeil Jr, Science reporter for our partner, The New York Times, joins The Takeaway with a look at how the virus might spread in the U.S.

For more, read Donald G. McNeil Jr.'s article, Predicting Flu With the Aid of (George) Washington, in today's New York Times.

A while ago, the federal government ordered the nation's banks to under go stress tests to see how they would fare in a severe financial crisis. The results are in. So how stressed are our banks? Well the results of those tests have been delayed several times. Now they are said to be coming out on Thursday. Some financial watchers are wondering if getting the answer to that question will help relieve the stress on the economy? Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says so, but Peter Morici, economist and professor at the School of Business at the University of Maryland, joins The Takeaway with his thoughts on how these tests will affect the markets.

In his prime time press conference last week, President Obama credited his Economic Recovery Act with the creation of 150,000 jobs. It's an astonishing number. But is this a case of some slightly fuzzy math? The Takeaway talks to Political Director Andrea Bernstein.

If you missed last week's press conference, you can see President Obama's take on job creation below:

It's Monday and every Monday morning we sit down with out friend and International Business Editor for The New York Times, Marcus Mabry, for a look into the future at what we can expect from the week ahead on the political and foreign policy front.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari have plans to visit Washington this week to engage in some tri-party talks about the region. And with the Taliban possibly threatening Pakistan's nuclear arms arsenal, stability the region is of the utmost importance. As part of the strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that President Obama unveiled last month, he requested that Congress approve billions in additional military and civilian assistance for the volatile nations. In these challenging economic times, is financial aid the only way to stabilize the countries? Before she testifies before the House Foreign Affairs committee, Christine Fair, a senior political scientist for the Rand Corporation, stops by The Takeaway to discuss Pakistan, the Taliban, and the need for U.S. aid.

When Senator Arlen Specter switched political parties last week, some Republicans saw his move as a huge blow to the party, while others simply said good riddance. The Senator's switch was the latest in a series of challenges for the Republican party. So what is a Republican loyalist to do? New Hampshire Republican Charlie Bass spent 12 years in Congress before losing his seat in 2006. He joins The Takeaway to talk about what Republicans need to do to re-build their party, their national support, and to maintain a broad appeal to the American public.

Imagine this: It's Game Seven of the most hyped NBA playoff in recent memory...and your TV goes out. Takeaway Contributor and sports blogger Ibrahim Abdul-Matin fled to the nearest sports bar for the exhausting finale of the now epic Celtics-Bulls match up. He's got his thoughts on what's up next in the NBA and in the NHL, where the semi-finals are finally bringing hockey fever to Washington D.C.

ESPN has some of the highlights of the Celtics-Bull game, but if you missed it, you missed out:

In the wake of fears over the spread of so-called "swine influenza," pork prices have plummeted. In Alberta, Canada, pigs have been quarantined after catching the flu from a farm employee. In Egypt, riot police clashed with pig farmers while trying to stop farmers from slaughtering their own animals. In Iraq, three wild boars at the Baghdad zoo were slaughtered. Swine flu means bad news for pigs and pig farmers, despite loud messages from the World Health Organization and CDC that the flu is not spread by eating pork. The Takeaway talks to Mike Faga, a Human Resources Director with Iowa Select Farms, the largest pig producer in Iowa.

It's May, which means one thing to high school students: Prom. That's right, across the country teens are biting their nails over getting invited by the right guy, lining up the limo, picking a corsage, and, gasp!, finding the dress. And even though many parents are watching the family budgets very closely, it seems like one thing they aren’t skimping on is their kids’ big night. Christine Haughney is a reporter for The New York Times and she joins The Takeaway with her story on the magical night.

For more, read Christine Haughney's article, Florida to California, Prom Dresses Selling in the New York Times.

Co-host Adaora Udoji is leaving The Takeaway to spend more time with her new daughter. And she wanted to say farewell and thanks to all of you.