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Linda speaks with David Broder and Haynes Johnson, two top political correspondents with the Washington Post and co-authors of the new book The System which examines how the machinery of government dealt with the problem of health care during the most recent effort by President Clinton to reform the health care apparatus. The 'system' failed to provide a solution to the problem, and authors Broder and Johnson say that failure demonstrates many of the vagaries and deficiencies of modern American politics.

A House committee opened hearings today into the White House's improperly obtaining FBI background files on top Republicans. While the committee looks into the matter, the White House has appointed Charles Easley, a career civil servant originally appointed during the Reagan administration, to be the new head of security. He'll run the office which obtained the files. NPR's Peter Kenyon has more on the story.

3: IRA KAY is the Practice Director of Watson Wyatt's Executive Compensation Practice. He's also the author of "Value at the Top: Solutions to the Executive Compensation Crisis" (Harper Collins).

Fighting crime and guns has become a top priority for both President Bill Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole. This past week, both men were out on the campaign trail pushing their solutions to the problem. While some people may say the candidates are just giving lip service to the issue, Commentator Mickey Edwards applauds both men for addressing this important issue.

Berlin's top playboy -- one Rolf Eden -- is finally ready to retire at age 72. Eden has been a fixture on the German party scene since he opened Berlin's first post-World War II night club. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Jazz percussionist Mongo Santamaria dies on Feb. 1 at 85. Santamaria scored a Top-10 hit with his version of Herbie Hancock's jazz-funk classic "Watermelon Man" in 1963. He also wrote the song "Afro Blue," later performed and made famous by John Coltrane. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has a remembrance.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with NPR's Anne Garrels in Baghdad about Iraq's response to Secretary of State Powell's presentation at the Security Council today. Two of Saddam Hussein's top advisers were made available to reporters in the Iraqi capital shortly after Secretary Powell completed his presentation.

President-elect George W. Bush met today in Austin with top leaders from both parties on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The group talked about the Bush administration's plans for re-energizing the nation's military. As a candidate for president, Bush said military morale could be improved with higher pay and a redefined mission. NPR's Steve Inskeep has this story.

Some lawyers and economists estimate that Iraq's foreign debt tops $100 billion. Some economists say much of the debt should be forgiven so Iraqis can rebuild their nation all the faster. But creditor-nations likely would balk at sweeping debt forgiveness. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

The mobilization of military reserve and National Guard units tops 168,000 troops, the largest call-up since the Persian Gulf War. When a key employee is called to active duty, it can disrupt large companies and damage smaller ones. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.