To the Point

Neo-cons, Environmentalists and Plug-in Hybrids

Republicans and Democrats are promising to "do something" about the soaring price of gasoline. This week, with the price of gasoline rising fast, they'll debate the President's energy bill. Meantime, a coalition of former national security officials--hawks and neo-cons--who aren't much worried about the environment have joined forces with the Natural Resources Defense Council to end America's dependence on fossil fuels. These two unlikely allies are pushing for cars they claim could get 500 miles to the gallon, using available technology and alternative fuels. Would the technology really work? Would it require more energy rather than less? We hear more from experts in national security, public policy and the environment, automobile technology and a former official from the Reagan Defense Department. Making News: Blue Chips Edge Higher after Sinking to November's Levels Last Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw its steepest decline since the Iraq invasion of 2003. This week, more than 400 companies will report their earning results. E.S. Browning, stock market reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has more on profits, consumer confidence, and what he says will be a "pins and needles kind of week." Reporter's Notebook: India and Pakistan Practice 'Cricket Diplomacy' President Musharraf and Prime Minister Singh came together this weekend because of a cricket match, but what they talked about was trade, peace and a gas pipeline. So few details were released, however, that Indian television was reduced to timing their handshake and counting the number of times Pakistan's General Musharraf pumped the hand of India's Manmohan Singh. Paula Newberg, author of Double Betrayal and a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution, has more.