To the Point

From the start, the White House has been adamant that the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is "not our war," but as the conflict enters its third week, questions arise as to whether this is a proxy war between the United States and Iran. There are reports that the US recently supplied the Israeli military with laser-guided "smart bombs," and the State Department has echoed Israeli calls for disarmament of Hezbollah before there is a cease-fire. Hezbollah itself is considered by many to be the third division of the Iranian army, America's chief enemy in the region, and one now seeking a nuclear bomb. Guest host Conan Nolan looks at the conflict in the Middle East and the ramifications for the US and Iran. Making News: Bush and Blair Meet to Discuss Middle East CrisisBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Washington meeting with President George W. Bush to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. The two are being pressured by moderate Arab states to call for an immediate cease-fire, despite US-UK resolve to effect the truce through a UN resolution, which would include disarmament of Hezbollah guerrillas. Lane Greene is the global-agenda columnist for The Economist magazine.Reporter's Notebook: Floyd Landis, Sports Doping and TestosteroneThree days later after becoming the only third American to win the Tour de France, Floyd Landis of California finds himself on the brink of having that title stripped from him. Urine samples show that during a key stage of the race he tested positive for illegally high levels of testosterone. Landis has staunchly defended himself against the allegations. We hear more about the controversy from journalists Brian Alexander and Andrew Sullivan and from the Director of the only US lab accredited by the International Olympic Committee.

Secretary Rice made a surprise visit to Beirut today in what aides called a "dramatic signal" of President Bush's concern about Lebanon. On her way to Jerusalem, she's now talking about the "urgent need for a cease-fire," but not until the "right conditions" have been established. In Beirut, Hezbollah claimed to have established a "security perimeter" around its headquarters, but it's now been reduced to a "smoldering wasteland." Civilians are fleeing Southern Lebanon, even as Israeli bombs are hitting trucks thought to be re-supplying Hezbollah forces. We hear what conditions might lead to a cease-fire, how long it might take before Hezbollah stops the rockets and Israel stops the bombing, and about reports that some Lebanese officials are glad to see the weakening of Hezbollah and its ambitious leader.Making News: Secretary Rice Begins Trip with Surprise Visit to BeirutPresident Bush has announced that US ships and helicopters will take humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Meantime, Condoleezza Rice is looking for what she calls a "sustainable cease-fire." The Secretary of State met with Lebanon's Prime Minister Siniora today, commending him for "courage and steadfastness." Warren Strobel of McClatchy News Service is traveling with Secretary Rice.Reporter's Notebook: Saddam on Hunger StrikeSaddam Hussein was hospitalized yesterday as the result of the hunger strike he began more than two weeks ago. Reported to be in "stable" condition, he being fed through a tube. Today, his trial resumed, but without his presence. The defense team for him and all his co-defendants also failed to appear at today's proceedings, as we hear from Malcolm Beith, who reports from Baghdad for Newsweek magazine.