assessment of what is happening in afghanistan and pakistan, two reporters from the "new york times," alissa rubin, the paper's kabul bureau chief and rod nordland, the deputy bureau chief. a look at the new congress and an update on afghanistan when we come back. maybe you want school kids to have more exposure to the arts. maybe you want to provide meals for the needy. or maybe you want to help when the unexpected happens. >>. >> additional funding provided by the following: captioning sponsored by rose communications from our studios in new york city, this is charlie rose. . >> rose: we begin this evening with a look at the new congress which begins its first session tomorrow. republicans have set an ambitious agenda following their sweeping victory in november's midterm election. they have vowed to cut taxes and launch congressional probes on a range of issues. their first legislative initiative comes next wednesday with a vote to repeal the hlth care law. the new republican initiatives are sure to inspire fierce opposition from democrats who retain a slim majority in the senate in addition to