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Howard Dean, who opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, concedes the action has provided some benefits to the Iraqi people. But the Democratic presidential hopeful says the world may face greater dangers if a fundamentalist regime emerges in Iraq. Hear an extended interview with the former Vermont governor.

The U.S. imports more oil from Latin America than from all Middle Eastern countries combined. Oil wealth has long generated dreams of prosperity, but in the lands of production, the reserves have often brought political and economic instability. In the first of a three-part series, Sandy Tolan looks at what went wrong with Venezuela's oil dream.

CIA officials say a tape of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein that surfaced last week is probably authentic, but add that the exact date of the recording can't be determined. Pentagon officials say the tape is unhelpful because it helps fuel hopes among Saddam loyalists in Iraq that the deposed leader is still alive. Hear NPR News.

The Polyphonic Spree consider themselves a symphonic rock band, and play upbeat songs of happiness and celebration. But in their uniform white robes, the 23 members of the band look more like a religious cult. NPR's Bob Boilen profiles the band — hear a cut from their debut album, featured in All Songs Considered.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Rob Bourdaud'hui, a British-born U.S. resident and former disc jockey, about what he's listening to this summer. Listen to clips of his ideas.

The New York Subway system is designed to move millions of people quickly and efficiently. But on any given Friday afternoon, trombonist Alex Lo Dico and his jazz band can bring commuters to a complete halt. The subways have been Lo Dico's stage for two decades now, and his philosophy is "swing 'til you drop." NPR's Robert Smith has the first in a summer series of street musician profiles.

Bernie Barker, a retired nuclear engineer, was 60 when he launched his new career: dancing for women. Guinness World Records has since recognized him as the oldest male stripper. Hear his story on Morning Edition.

His debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook, received critical acclaim and is now out in paperback. The main character of the book, like Shteyngart, is a Russian-American Jew who emigrated to the United States as a child. In a New York Times Magazine cover article, Daniel Zalewski wrote, "Gary Shteyngart has rewritten the classic immigrant narrative -- starring a sarcastic slacker instead of a grateful striver. And after all his parents have done for him!" This interview first aired July 2, 2002.

Journalist Joyce Davis is deputy foreign editor at Knight Ridder newspapers and former Mideast editor at NPR. She's the author of Martyrs: Innocence, Vengeance and Despair in the Middle East. Davis conducted interviews with Islamic scholars to try to understand the teachings about martyrdom and how those teachings had been twisted by extremists. She also conducted interviews in the Middle East with the families of both martyrs and victims.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Mike Watchmaker of the Daily Racing Form ahead of Saturday's Belmont Stakes. They discuss whether Funny Cide will win and clinch horse racing's Triple Crown.