THIS WEEK
Monday, July 24, 2006; A02

Diplomacy at Home

As crisis looms all over the Middle East, from Iran and Iraq to Israel and Lebanon, world leaders closely aligned with President Bush will visit him this week.

Tomorrow, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki comes to Washington. Bush and Maliki largely agree on what needs to happen in Iraq, but Maliki has criticized Israeli actions in Lebanon, while Bush has remained in steadfast support of Israel. On Wednesday, Maliki will travel to Fort Belvoir, Va., with the president to lunch with military personnel and their families. He will also address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Bush will welcome another Iraq ally, Romanian President Traian Basescu. Then on Friday, Bush's strongest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, comes to Washington to discuss the Middle East crises. It will be Blair's second visit here in less than two months.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/23/AR2006072300520_pf.html