Steve Inskeep talks with Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough about the White House's strategy on Afghanistan. Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, testifies before Congress this week in the wake of the alleged shooting spree by a U.S. soldier that left 16 Afghans dead.

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in two homicide cases testing whether it is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment to sentence a 14-year-old to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As Shell Oil prepares to drill in the Arctic Ocean this summer, Native Alaskans are visiting Washington, D.C., to make their case for — or against — drilling. Some Inupiats argue that oil and gas exploration puts their traditional lives at stake, but others say the economy of the North Slope needs new oil and gas revenues.

One of the defining elements of the 2012 presidential campaign is money. Two-dozen wealthy Americans have put in at least $1 million each. And one of the biggest donors is Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who has almost single-handedly kept Newt Gingrich's campaign afloat.

Despite losses in Alabama and Mississippi, Mitt Romney lost little ground to Rick Santorum in the delegate chase last week — thanks primarily to wins in offshore territories, whose residents will not be allowed to vote for president come November.

It's another furious dash to the finish line as delegate-rich Illinois holds its Republican presidential primary Tuesday. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is looking to increase his delegate lead. And he's still searching for that decisive win over former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

An investigative journalism project concluded that New Jersey led the nation with the toughest government accountability laws and enforcement while Georgia had the dubious distinction of being ranked last.