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U.S. forces are on the outskirts of Baghdad. Several key points of access to the capital now are under U.S. control. NPR's Eric Westervelt, embedded with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, provides a view of the fighting near Baghdad over the last 24 hours.

NPR's Robert Siegel talks about military strategy for control of Iraq's capital with retired Marine Corps Col. Randy Gangle, executive director of the Center for Emerging Threats and Opportunities, a Marine Corps think tank in Quantico, Va.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld denies reports that the Pentagon refused requests for more troops by the U.S. commander for the war in Iraq, Gen. Tommy Franks. Rumsfeld defends the war plan for Iraq as "excellent," and notes that Gen. Franks drafted the U.S. battle strategy. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports.

U.S.-led forces fan out across Baghdad, meeting heavy resistance. U.S. tanks move north from a presidential palace seized Monday, and U.S. Marines cross the Diala River to take control of Baghdad's Rasheed Airport. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

U.S. and British warplanes continue to strike government buildings inside Baghdad and key defenses on the outskirts of the Iraqi capital. Despite the almost constant bombardment, reporters inside the city say life there seems remarkably close to normal. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels.

NPR's Michele Norris gets an update from NPR's John Burnett, traveling with the Marine 1st Division in Iraq. After a three-day break, the Marines have renewed their push toward Baghdad.

As warplanes continue to pound Republican Guard positions near Baghdad, Gen. Tommy Franks says there has been no "operational pause" in the war in Iraq. But he warns the toughest fighting in Iraq is still ahead. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Fires burn in Baghdad as the U.S.-led bombardment of the city and nearby Republican Guard positions reportedly steps up in frequency. Inside the city, the infrastructure begins to degrade as telephones fail and supply shortages threaten. Yet, reporters in the city say Saddam's regime seems in complete control. Hear Paul Eedle.

Elements of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division attack Iraqi Republican Guard positions near Baghdad, while further south, Army units surround the Shiite holy city of Najaf. In Baghdad, U.S.-led warplanes strike facilities including the information ministry and a presidential palace. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer and NPR's Anne Garrels.

Britain, the United States' chief war ally, reaches out to other nations by promoting a lead role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq. But U.S. officials remain deeply divided over the issue of U.N. involvement and other crucial questions of post-war planning. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.