Libya: Pro-Khaddafy forces have reportedly taken the rebel-controlled oil producing city of Al Brega, as the heat continues to ratchet up in the weeks-long clashes between the pro-democracy resistance and supporters of Khaddafy's beleaguered regime. This comes as American warships steer their hulls towards the Mediterranean, while the Obama administration delicately mulls potential military options there. (Financial Times: Libyan Regime Counterattacks in East)
Budget showdown: The House of Representatives passed 335-91 a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running through March 18, with $4 billion in spending cuts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the Senate will pass the resolution today, allowing Obama to sign it before government spending authority expires Friday. (USA Today: House Passes Bill, Averts Shutdown)
Wisconsin: Governor Scott Walker may have unveiled his $59 billion budget, but the protests in and around the building he did so in don't seem to be subsiding: A Wisconsin judge on Tuesday ruled in favor of protesters' rights to protest in and around the state capitol in Madison. (USA Today: Wisconsin Budget Proposal Closely Watched Nationwide)
On the Daily Rundown: We have the latest on Libya, a discussion of Afghanistan and Middle East policy following telling comments on the war by Defense Secretary Gates, and we’ll have an appearance by the latest member of the msnbc team Martin Bashir.