WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

Twelve years after the publication of her award-winning first novel "White Teeth," Zadie Smith returns to the racially mixed, multicultural northwest sector of London where she grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. Her newest novel is titled simply "NW." It took more her than seven years to write, and she has likened it to a "problem play." The plot revolves around four people in their 30s who come from the same subsidized housing project. Through their eyes, she explores the complexities of the class system in London and how people from similar backgrounds can come to have vastly different destinies.

Four U.S. soldiers were killed by Afghan police, the third such "inside" attack in as many days. A French newspaper printed several caricatures of the Prophet Mohamed. And Russia demanded that the U.S. halt the work of pro-democracy groups. Abderrahim Foukara of Al Jazeera, Indira Lakshmanan of Bloomberg News and Yochi Dreazen of National Journal join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

New polls showed President Barack Obama opening up a lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, who tried to reshape his message following a damaging videotape from a fundraiser. The Justice Department found that federal agents and prosecutors ignored risks to the public from its "Fast and Furious" operation. And Chicago's first teachers' strike in 25 years ended. David Corn of Mother Jones magazine, Jeanne Cummings of Bloomberg News and Matthew Continetti of The Washington Freebeacon join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Most couches sold in the U.S. contain flame retardants, but critics argue these chemicals pose a serious health risk. Debate on the health risks of flame retardants in furniture.

For the past four decades, at least one student a year has died as a result of hazing on U.S. college campuses. Last year hazing claimed the lives of two young people, one at Cornell University and another at Florida A&M. At least 44 states have laws designed to curb harmful rites of induction into fraternities, sororities, marching bands and other campus groups. But those who break the laws are rarely prosecuted. Some anti-hazing advocates call for ridding campuses of the Greek societies that often have a long tradition of initiation rites that sometimes turn dangerous. Others argue these groups and clubs do more good than harm. Guest host Steve Roberts talks with a panel of experts about efforts to stop hazing.

A New England Journal of Medicine study concluded as many as 25 percent of all hospitalized patients will experience a preventable medical error of some kind. Other studies indicate one in every five medications, tests and procedures is unnecessary. Consumers have the tools to comparison shop when deciding on a new car, home or other major purchase. But when it comes to choosing a hospital or doctor, they are largely in the dark. Most patients do not have access to data on safety and quality from individual hospitals and doctors. Johns Hopkins surgeon and health safety advocate Marty Makary says transparency can revolutionize health care. We discuss what hospitals won't tell you and why you need to know.

Many states seek to partially implement Medicaid reforms of the Affordable Care Act. Please join us for a conversation on what changes in Medicaid rules could mean for state budgets, the federal deficit and the nation's poor.

Giant predatory worms, 50-foot algae, sea spiders and leopard seals are some of the creatures living between the ice and snow of Antarctica. A leading expert on Antarctica explains what's in this fragile ecosystem and why it's under attack.

Protests against an American-made online video mocking the Prophet Muhammad have sparked discussions about free speech. Guest host Steve Roberts and his guests discuss clashing cultural norms and efforts to define and regulate hate speech across the globe.

Forty years ago military analyst Daniel Ellsberg leaked classified Vietnam War documents known as the Pentagon Papers. Ellsberg had come to believe the U.S. was fighting a wrongful war and hoped the Pentagon Papers would help end it. Today when we think of secret documents and whistleblowers, Julian Assange and WikiLeaks come to mind. A new book traces the decades between the Pentagon Papers and WikiLeaks. The author explains how advances in cryptographic technology have helped create a new generation of digital activists and how politically motivated hackers are reshaping concepts about power and secrecy.

As violence intensified in the Middle East last week, it also sparked a fiery debate on the presidential campaign trail over foreign policy. The issue has taken a back seat to jobs and the economy in 2012, but the turmoil across the Arab world forced the issue front and center for the first time in the race. For President Barack Obama, the violence is a test of his handling of the Arab Spring uprisings and his promises of democracy there. And for Republican challenger Mitt Romney, questions remain over what principles would guide his decisions on the world stage. Guest host Susan Page of USA Today discusses presidential politics and foreign policy with her guests.

Following Republican victories in the 2010 midterm elections, legislatures around the country passed new voting laws. Today, 10 states require photo identification to vote and most states allow early voting and provisional ballots. Democrats say some of these laws discourage minorities and the poor from voting. Republicans argue they prevent fraud. Courts in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio will hear arguments this week on voter ID and early voting. And in Florida, a battle over voter registration might cause a replay of the 2000 presidential election. Diane and guests discuss new voting laws and how it will impact the 2012 presidential race.

The United States and Libya agreed to cooperate to find out who was responsible for the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. Protests over an American-made video mocking Islam spread to Yemen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the U.S. to draw clearer "red lines" for a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. And in China, speculation grew over the absence of Vice President and expected next President Xi Jinping. Thom Shanker of The New York Times, Courtney Kube of NBC News and Jonathan Landay of McClatchy Newspapers.

The Federal Reserve announced a new, open-ended round of bond buying to stimulate economic growth. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney sparred over the Obama administration's handling of the attacks in Libya and Egypt. And vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan returned to the House to vote on a six-month, stopgap spending bill to keep the government operating. Jonathan Allen of Politico, Jackie Calmes of The New York Times and Michael Scherer of TIME magazine join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Yale Law School Professor Akhil Reed Amar argues the U.S. Constitution is just a sketch of basic rules for governing America. Join us to discuss the vast trove of values, precedents and practices outside the document that he argues complement and complete its terse text.