Senator Clinton Returns From Mideast Trip

WASHINGTON — In a series of appearances today, Senator Clinton is expected to offer an extensive critique of President Bush's proposed troop increase to Iraq as she returns from a weekend trip to the Middle East.

Mrs. Clinton met with leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of a congressional delegation that included Senator Bayh, a Democrat of Indiana, and Rep. John McHugh, a Republican from upstate New York.

The two senators returned Monday night, but a press conference was postponed yesterday after Mr. McHugh became dehydrated and stayed in Germany for an extra day. A spokeswoman, Brynn Barnett, said he is now fine and returned to Washington last night.

Mrs. Clinton is also appearing on the network morning shows, and she may offer new foreign-policy proposals that could align or separate her from other Democrats likely to seek the presidency in 2008. She has supported a phased redeployment of troops from Iraq, but she has not joined those calling for Congress to use the "power of the purse" to cut off funding for a troop increase.

She will certainly face questions about Senator Obama, who yesterday announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee.