Amid the rising tensions in Sudan, and a possible outbreak of violence that has world leaders fearing the worst, actor and activist George Clooney and NBC News' Ann Curry travel to Southern Sudan to shine a spotlight on the tumultuous region as the January referendum — when the south will vote on whether or not to secede and form its own country — looms and millions of lives are at stake. Clooney takes "Dateline" cameras on a fact-finding tour across the war-torn area and speaks with Curry about his experiences working with people who are living in dire poverty and struggling for peace. Airing Friday, Dec. 3 at 10 PM/ET, this special edition of "Dateline" reveals a side of Clooney outside of Hollywood's glitz and glamour — a Clooney leveraging his celebrity status to focus international attention on those who need it most, before it's too late.

"For what may be the first time in history, our cameras aimed to document a war of potential atrocities, possibly even genocide, as it unfolded in real time," explains NBC News' Ann Curry. "No one is more serious, or as clued in to the potential risks in Sudan as George Clooney; not only as an actor, but as a human rights activist. This 'Dateline' hour offers a rare glimpse of the real world, and of a man who cares honestly about these people who have no voice, except the one he gives them."

"Dateline" cameras follow Clooney on his whistle-stop tour across the U.S., with John Prendergast—a former Clinton Administration Africa expert who now heads an anti-genocide group called the Enough Project— who also accompanied Clooney and Curry to Southern Sudan. Throughout their U.S. tour, they meet with students, officials, and political leaders in the White House and on Capitol Hill, aiming to bring attention to the problem in Sudan and work to find a peaceful solution. "You know, if the cameras are gonna follow me everywhere I go, then I'm going to go to places that the cameras should be," says Clooney, a United Nations "Messenger of Peace."

Curry also sits down one-on-one with a woman who many hope will bring much needed support to this brewing conflict: Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Illustrating the weight of the situation at hand, Rice says, "It's— it's humbling and it's daunting. But, at the end of the day, neither I nor the United States of America, nor even the entire international community can decide the fate of Sudan for it. Its people and its leaders have to do that." When asked what the international response might be if genocide begins, she responds, "I'm not gonna rule out anything."

Their upcoming Dateline hour-long report will air Friday at 10pm/9c.

Watch a web exclusive preview of 'Winds of War' below:

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With the new year just weeks away, NBC takes a look at what made 2010 a year filled with world-wide inspiration and outrage, and how the glory of celebrity reached new heights with reality star sensations.  Chilean Miner rescuer Brandon Fisher, "Hero Dad" James Jones, "Ground Zero" Mosque developer Sharif el-Gamal, LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, and Justin Timberlake all sit down with Matt Lauer for his annual Thanksgiving primetime special, "People of the Year" on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 9ET, and speak out candidly about why this was their year. In addition, the special includes a special holiday tribute performance by singing sensation, Susan Boyle.

Watch a preview of Matt Lauer's interview with "Ground Zero" mosque developer Sharif el-Gamal:

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In an exclusive Dateline interview, Brian Williams travels to Northern Scotland to sit down with Prince Charles for an in-depth conversation and candid look into a private life the public rarely gets to see. In the hour-long special, The Man Who Will Be King, Prince Charles speaks out about his role as The Prince of Wales; his relationship with his sons, William and Harry; the expectations of another royal wedding; feeling misunderstood by the media; and his efforts to prevent global warming and why he wants to be "the defender of nature."

This special Dateline report begins at 9pm/8c and is followed by the broadcast of Prince Charles' environment documentary Harmony. Watch a trailer below:

This Friday at 9pm/8c on Dateline NBC...

The disappearance of 7-year old Kyron Horman made national headlines in early June 2010, and has since left family and friends desperately searching for answers. "Dateline's" Kate Snow continues her reporting on the case and uncovers new details, including reports from eyewitnesses about what they saw the day Kyron went missing, allegations from Kyron's father about his wife Terri, and interviews with Terri's friends who are speaking out in her defense.

A teenage party girl finds herself at the center of a murder mystery when her older boyfriend is brutally attacked and dies. Though the killer is convicted and thrown in jail, the case is reopened years later when a confession letter leads to more arrests within a close group of friends who were hiding a big secret. Keith Morrison reports.

'The Preacher's Wife' airs Friday, November 5th, at 9pm/8c:

After serving time in jail and regaining custody of her children, Mary Winkler, who made headlines in March 2006 for killing her preacher husband and father of three daughters, sits down for an exclusive primetime interview with Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, this Friday, Nov. 5. For the special two-hour report, Winkler speaks out about her husband's dark side, and reveals what drove her to end his life to protect hers and the lives of their daughters.

In March 2006, Matthew Winkler, known by his congregation as a pious preacher and loving father and husband, was found dead in his own bed in the small town of Selmer, Tennessee. Police searched for his wife and children for days, finally tracking them down in an Alabama town over 400 miles away. After she confessed to killing him, the trial of Mary Winkler appeared to be case closed, until she finally spoke up and revealed to the court the intensely private secrets of her husband's dark side.

In the interview with Morrison, Winkler explains the inner struggle she faced as a loyal wife who allegedly suffered severe mental and physical abuse at the hand of her husband. She says she is telling her story now to advise all the women who suffer the same type of abuse. "Ask for help….Know that someone will believe you, someone will help you. And you're not alone. I'm not leading by example. But I am leading out of regret."

Watch a teaser for 'The Preacher's Wife' below: