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President Bush says removing Saddam Hussein from power would spur democratic reform in the Middle East. Now The Los Angeles Times publishes a classified State Department report that disputes the claim -- and portrays a Bush administration deeply divided over the "Democratic domino theory." Hear NPR's Michele Norris and reporter Greg Miller, who broke the story.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein rejects a U.S. demand that he and his sons leave Iraq within 48 hours or face "the full force and might" of the U.S. military. President Bush delivered the ultimatum in a prime-time speech, which drew mixed reaction from U.S. lawmakers. NPR's Mara Liasson and NPR's David Welna report.

U.N. weapons inspectors, foreign diplomats and journalists leave Baghdad in anticipation of possible war. In Kuwait, about 235,000 U.S. troops and 45,000 British troops move into position and prepare for a possible invasion of Iraq. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels and NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Russia and France announce they will vote against a U.S.-backed resolution that would set a March 17 deadline for Iraqi disarmament. Both have veto power on the U.N. Security Council. A vote initially expected Tuesday will be delayed. Hear from NPR's Nick Spicer, NPR's Melissa Block and Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq's U.N. ambassador.

In Baghdad, residents hoard basic supplies and foreign diplomats leave the country in preparation for a possible U.S.-military attack against Iraq. In Qatar, residents have mixed feelings about U.S. troops in the country. Hear reporter Paul Eedle and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

As the U.S., Britain and Spain abandon efforts to win U.N. approval for a new resolution on Iraq, President Bush prepares to address the nation at 8 p.m. ET. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Bush will issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, that the Iraqi leader leave the country or face war. Meanwhile, all U.S. non-essential personnel are ordered to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait. Hear NPR News.

The limited U.S. strikes on Iraqi targets in and around Baghdad draw mixed reaction from many parts of the Muslim world. Iran calls the attack "unjustifiable and illegitimate," and Malaysia says the strike represents "a black mark in history." But Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticizes Iraq's role in the conflict. Hear NPR's Michael Sullivan.

An organism similar to viruses that cause measles and mumps may be behind a global outbreak of a new form pneumonia, known as SARS. World health officials also report it looks like the disease is on its way to containment. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

The deadline President Bush set for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq passes. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Brian Naylor at the White House, NPR's Anne Garrels in Baghdad and NPR's Steve Inskeep in the Persian Gulf.

The Bush administration thinks it might have a treasure trove of information about al Qaeda following the Saturday arrest of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. He's allegedly the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and a man long sought by the United States. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports, and NPR's Melissa Block talks with Tim McGirk who's following the story for Time Magazine.