AP – Administration sources say President Barack Obama plans this week to name CIA Director Leon Panetta to replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Gen. David Petraeus, now running the war in Afghanistan, would take the CIA chief’s job.

Daily Caller – Seizing upon comments made this week by House Speaker John Boehner that Congress should “be looking into” quelling subsidies for oil and gas companies,  President Obama sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to pass his proposal to end tax credits for oil companies and transfer them to other companies that produce energy through other means.

AP – The Obama administration clung Tuesday to fading hopes that a policy of engagement and diplomatic threats can pressure Syria to halt its brutal crackdown on pro-reform demonstrators, refusing to call for President Bashar Assad to step down or even question his legitimacy as a leader.

AP – President Barack Obama is helping his pal Oprah Winfrey wrap up her syndicated talk show in style.

AP – The Obama administration has eased its sanctions on Libya to allow for the sale of oil controlled by the rebels. The move will allow Libya’s opposition forces to use the income from oil sales to purchase weapons and other supplies.

The Daily Beast – Not content with questioning the president’s birthplace, Donald Trump is now wondering how a “terrible student” got into the Ivy League. Michelle Goldberg traces the far-right history of the claim—which reassures resentful whites that this seemingly brilliant black man isn’t so smart after all.

Reuters – With Americans upset over rising gasoline prices, Republicans in Congress aim to fix the blame on one person when they return next week from recess: President Barack Obama.

The Daily Beast – With the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton looming, some Commonwealth nations have signaled they no longer want a British monarch reigning over them. Offering the scepter to an ex-President Obama is one option, writes Geoffrey Robertson.

Reuters – The Obama administration, looking to wind down the war in Afghanistan even as insurgent attacks continue, has not yet decided how many troops will start coming home in July, the defense chief said on Tuesday.

AP – President Barack Obama says he strongly disapproves of new laws restricting public employee unions in Ohio and Wisconsin and says states should not use the financial crisis as an excuse to erode bargaining rights.