U.S. President George W. Bush said he and visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair believe recommendations for U.S. policy in Iraq put forward in the Iraq Study Group's report are "worthy of serious study."

A top-level committee established by the U.S. Congress has been studying options for how Washington should deal with the continuing crisis in Iraq. Today, the Iraq Study Group will present its recommendations to U.S. President George W. Bush.

Kenneth Katzman, a noted specialist on Middle East affairs at the Congressional Research Service, spoke recently with RFE/RL about events in the region. The discussion focused on promoting stability in Iraq and on U.S. relations with Iran.