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Former CIA deputy director Robert Gates is President Bush's choice to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. His confirmation hearings in the Senate began today. Madeleine Brand talks to Guy Raz, who is reporting from the hearing.

The Senate Armed Services Committee votes unanimously to approve Robert Gates as the new secretary of defense. In his sole day of hearings, Gates faced questions about Iraq and U.S. troop levels. The full Senate will vote on his nomination Wednesday.

Despite deep differences over how to proceed in Iraq, the Senate gives its unanimous approval for Robert Gates to take over the reins at the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld. President Bush's second Secretary of Defense is taking office at a time of uncertainty over what will happen next in the war.

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was recovering from brain surgery Thursday at George Washington University Hospital. As official Washington extended good wishes for his recovery, it also puzzled over the effect that his illness may have on control of the Senate.

Robert Siegel talks with Carl Levin of Michigan, ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, about the Iraq Study Group's grim assessment of Iraq. At a news conference, Levin said, "The report represents another blow at the policy of 'stay the course' that this administration has followed."

The Iraq Study Group report was released this morning. Among its recommendations: new diplomatic efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the mission that will allow U.S. combat forces to leave Iraq.

Nathan Crooks, editor of The Santiago Times, tells Steve Inskeep that the reaction in Chile has been mixed to the death of former dictator Augusto Pinochet. He died Sunday at the age of 91.

U.N. Ambassador John Bolton announces that he will step down at the end of his temporary appointment, which expires in a few weeks along with the current session of Congress. Bolton faced a tough, if not impossible, fight for Senate confirmation.

The White House says a day-long delay in a planned meeting between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has nothing to do with a newly leaked White House memo questioning whether Maliki can control violence in Iraq. The session has been postponed until Thursday. Michele Norris talks with NPR's David Greene.

This week, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for Robert Gates to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.