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Russia was once the world leader in space exploration, but its space program has had a costly and embarrassing string of mission failures since December 2010, including the loss of a $163 million Mars probe. Critics say the program is ill-funded and mismanaged.

The northeast coast of Japan has an older population, fewer jobs and more tsunamis than the rest of the country. The regional economy had been declining long before last year's disaster. Many people say in order to survive, the region needs to remake itself.

Counterterrorism officials say al-Qaida's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has much at stake in Syria. He has credibility in the region among jihadis because of his long battle against Egypt's government and if he can somehow take credit for the fall of Syria's president, it might rejuvenate al-Qaida. Officials say Zawahiri is already positioning himself with a video that calls on jihadis to travel to Syria.

[Aired on Monday, March 12th.] On today's show, we speak by phone with Lisa See, the bestselling author of "Shanghai Girls," "Peony in Love," "Snow Flower…

The Israelis and Palestinians are once again trading fire across the borders of the Gaza Strip. But Israel says there's something different this time: The Iron Dome defense system is blocking some 90 percent of the Palestinian rockets.

Thanks to high commodity prices and surging productivity, U.S. farmers earned a net income of nearly $98 billion last year — a record, according to analysts. Economists say two major factors have been driving up demand: exports and ethanol.

Good food and company can overcome differences. Commentator Gwen Thompkins remarks on how one chat with someone who holds far different political beliefs can broaden minds and remind you of why you believe what you do.

At a forum Monday night in Birmingham, Ala., Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich vied for last-minute support ahead of Tuesday's primaries in Alabama and Mississippi. Values, religion and the legitimacy of President Obama were on voters' minds.

The Obama administration is taking China to the World Trade Organization Tuesday. The move is aimed at pressuring China to ease restrictions on rare earth minerals. The minerals are critical to high-tech production of electronic products and military technology — from iPads to smart bombs.

What is remarkable is that those who bought bonds will get a tiny rate of return. Renee Montagne talks to David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, about what the results mean, who's buying Treasuries and how the borrowed funds are being spent.