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On Thursday, we heard the Israeli viewpoint on the current fighting. On Friday, Melissa Block talked with Ghazi Hamad, deputy foreign minister for Hamas in Gaza.

It's no secret that, in many parts of the world, children don't experience what affluent Westerners would term "childhood." Still, even the most hardened documentary buffs may be dumbfounded by Buffalo Girls, a look at two 8-year-old Thai girls who support their respective families.

They do so by hitting each other in the head.

Stam and Pet compete in Muay Thai, a form of boxing in which kicking as well as punching is allowed. As depicted in fictional action movies, Muay Thai is both graceful and brutal. Practiced by 8-year-olds, it's neither.

Stam and Pet are not seriously injured in the bouts filmed here, although one adult observer acknowledges that broken arms and legs are fairly common among Thailand's 30,000 — yes, 30,000 — child boxers.

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Stam Sor Con Lek fights to support her family. Her winnings go toward completing their half-finished house.

Steve Inskeep has the Last Word in business.

The week after Election Day is full of surprises, with news of scandal enveloping top Gens. David Petraeus and John Allen. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney reflects on his loss and what he calls Obama's "gifts" to the electorate, while the president pledges not to overreach in his second term.

Join NPR's Ron Elving and guest host Liz Halloran for the latest political roundup.