Again today, the Iranian State press is reporting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is test-firing missiles. Yesterday, Iran fired at least nine missiles which state officials boasted could hit Israel. They say they are meant to show Iran's readiness to strike back if attacked by the United States or Israel. The tests triggered swift reactions in diplomatic circles and nervousness in the world economy.

Again today, the Iranian State press is reporting the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is test-firing missiles. Yesterday, Iran fired at least nine missiles.... which state officials boasted could hit Israel. They also said they are meant to show Iran's readiness to strike back if attacked by the United States or Israel. The tests triggered swift reactions in diplomatic circles and nervousness in the world economy.

Guest: Jon Leyne, BBC correspondent, in Tehran, Iran

There is a new enemy on the battlefields of Iraq and it's too small to be seen. It's Acinetobacter baumannii, a drug-resistant killer microbe.

Guest: Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

Guest: Jeremy Bowen, BBC News

President Bush says the United States is not planning permanent military bases in Iraq, a fear of war-weary Americans. But with a U.N. agreement on bases expiring in January — before the inauguration of the next president — Washington is negotiating a new deal with Baghdad.

Q&A: Send director Parvez Sharma your questions. Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, Parvez Sharma began paying close attention to the national discussion around religion. And the gay Muslim filmmaker said he felt the need to come out of the closet — as a practicing Muslim. Sharma has made a new documentary about the lives of other gay and lesbian Muslims.

President Bush is going to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for meetings with Middle Eastern leaders this week. Few are optimistic for major diplomatic results despite a schedule filled with world leaders.