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French president Jacques Chirac welcomes Russian president Vladimir Putin on a three-day state visit and announces Russia signs on to a French-German initiative to continue U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq as an alternative to war. Meanwhile, President Bush tells religious broadcasters Saddam would use his own citizens as human shields. Hear reports from NPR's Nick Spicer and NPR's Don Gonyea.

French president Jacques Chirac welcomes Russian president Vladimir Putin on a three-day state visit, and announces Russia signs on to a French-German initiative to continue U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq as an alternative to war. Meanwhile, President Bush tells religious broadcasters Saddam would use his own citizens as human shields. Hear reports from NPR's Nick Spicer and NPR's Don Gonyea.

A proposal to rebuild Afghanistan's Buddhas. A man determined to swim the length of the Columbia River. And a slew of corporate executives headed up a river of their own. These are just a handful of stories covered this year on Talk of the Nation. Join host Neal Conan for an update on where they are now. Guests: Christian Manhart - Buddha statues update *Asia Program Specialist for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Munich, Germany Don George - Bali economy / tourism update *Global Travel Editor for Lonely Planet Publications, based in Oakland, Calif. Josh White - sniper investigation *Washington Post Metro reporter who's been covering the sniper investigation from the beginning Andrew Ross Sorkin - corporate scandal update *Business reporter for the New York Times Tali Taperberg - Israeli - *owns small travel agency in Jerusalem Saed Saify - Palestinian Muslim in Ramallah Christopher Swain - Columbia River swimmer

Need a break from the trussed-turkey-and-sugarplums fare that typically adorns Yuletide tables? On Talk of the Nation, Neal Conan talks with Joan Nathan, author of Jewish Cooking in America ; and Ming Tsai, cookbook author and chef-proprietor of the restaurant Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass.

Khachaturian waltz from Worcester: The Russian State Symphony Orchestra included music by the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian (kah-cha-TOOR-ee-un) on a recent American tour. We hear them in concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, with the Waltz from "Masquerade."

U.N. weapons inspectors wrap up their first field mission in Iraq after a four-year hiatus. The inspectors examined two sites near Baghdad, looking for evidence of banned weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. has warned Iraq's Saddam Hussein it will disarm Iraq by force if the inspections fail. Listen to NPR News.

U.N. weapons inspectors wrap up their first field mission in Iraq after a four-year hiatus. The inspectors examined two sites near Baghdad, looking for evidence of banned weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. has warned Iraq's Saddam Hussein it will disarm Iraq by force if the inspections fail. NPR's Bob Edwards speaks with Washington Post reporter Chandrasekaran in Baghdad about the first day of U.N. weapons inspections.

The FBI warns that al Qaeda may be planning what the agency calls "spectacular attacks" leading to mass casualties. But the Bush administration says it has no specific information on where, when or how terrorists might strike. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Authorities link a September shooting in Clinton, Md., to sniper suspects John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo. Two Virginia courts will be the first to try the men held in a series of shootings and killings in the Washington, D.C. area and the Deep South. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Authorities link a September shooting in Clinton, Md., to sniper suspects John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo. Two Virginia courts will be the first to try the men held in a series of shootings and killings in the Washington, D.C. area and the Deep South. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.