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There is in the American air — some 13 months away from the 2012 election — a whiff of suggestion that Obama might not be re-elected. Or re-electable. Past presidents have weathered stormier times, but when you hit bottom matters.

Drug shortages may be the new normal in U.S. medical care, experts say. Most drug shortages occur because something goes wrong in the manufacturing process that halts production.

Drug shortages may be the new normal in U.S. medical care, experts say. Most drug shortages occur because something goes wrong in the manufacturing process that halts production.

Bahrain's government has raided and shut down the local office of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), an international medical aid group. The case is the latest example of the crackdown on the country's medical community following mass anti-government protests earlier this year.

Bahrain's government has raided and shut down the local office of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), an international medical aid group. The case is the latest example of the crackdown on the country's medical community following mass anti-government protests earlier this year.

Jobs have become one of the most important barometers in assessing the president's performance, and the latest report shows that, in some ways, the economy has slipped backward. The anemic economic recovery is taking a political toll on the president, amplifying his other challenges.

Jobs have become one of the most important barometers in assessing the president's performance, and the latest report shows that, in some ways, the economy has slipped backward. The anemic economic recovery is taking a political toll on the president, amplifying his other challenges.

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

Choosing a holiday gift can be a challenge and selecting an appropriate gift book can be especially difficult. NPR's Susan Stamberg talks with independent bookstore owners and gets their suggestions for adult and children's titles this holiday season.

Debate is heating up again in Israel over performances of music by Richard Wagner. On Wednesday the Israeli Knesset asked the Israel Festival to cancel a July performance of Wagner's opera "Die Walkuere" (dee VAHL-kee-reh--"The Valkyries"). We'll hear music from "The Valkyries" performed in concert by the Berlin Philharmonic, with Claudio Abbado (ah-BAH-doh) conducting: Wotan's Farewell and the Magic Fire Music. The baritone is Bryn Terfel (tair-VEL). Recorded in November at the Philharmonie in Berlin. (German Radio/European Broadcasting Union)