Morning Buzz: Nov. 21, 2007

*Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, may renounce his military title by the end of the week, according to the AP and several other news sources. The rumored move, which would consign the leader to the role of civilian president, appears to represent an initial effort by the Musharraf government to appease concerns from the White House. "He has said he's going to take off his uniform; he's said there would be elections. Today he released prisoners, and so far I have found him to be a man of his word," President Bush said in an interview with ABC News yesterday.

*On the heels of upbeat news this week from parts of Iraq, a new report today suggests that Afghanistan is in serious danger of being overrun by a resurgent Taliban. The report, issued by the Senlis Council, an independent think tank, says that the war in Afghanistan has escalated this fall to "crisis proportions" and that "the insurgency now controls vast swaths of unchallenged territory including rural areas, some district centers, and important road arteries."

*Officials say that a record number of Americans will travel this Thanksgiving weekend. According to estimates reported this morning, more than 38.7 million U.S. residents will travel at least 50 miles by Sunday. Of that number, nearly 5 million are expected to fly. Airlines yesterday were already reporting above-average crowds and longer lines. Today is traditionally the busiest travel day of the year.