NATO Takes Over in Afghanistan to Face a Resurgent Taliban
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Legacy Player:
As NATO takes over military operations in Afghanistan, experts warn there are not enough troops to stop the Taliban from making a comeback. What's happened since US forces routed the Taliban 5 years ago? We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan. Also, Assembly Speaker Dennis Hastert stands his ground on the Mark Foley scandal, and developing computers to monitor newspapers in search of threats against the United States.
Making News
Congress to Investigate Members over Role in Foley Scandal ()
Republican leaders in Congress are still reeling from inappropriate messages sent by former member Mark Foley to underage boys. The House Ethics Committee today established a subcommittee to investigate the conduct of House members and staff in that matter. Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Howard Berman (D-CA) will serve as co-chairs. House Speaker Dennis Hastert told the Chicago Tribune last night he would not resign, but then called a news conference for this afternoon.
Guests:
- Bob Benenson: Editor, CQ Politics.com
Links:
Main Topic
NATO Takes Over in Afghanistan to Face a Resurgent Taliban ()
The zealots who sheltered Osama bin Laden are stepping into a power vacuum left when the US shifted its focus to Saddam Hussein. Today, amid warnings that there are not enough boots on the ground to stop the insurgence and in its biggest challenge in history, NATO took command of military operations in Afghanistan, with 31,000 troops from 37 countries, 12,000 from the US. An additional 8,000 American soldiers will handle counter-terrorism and training under US command. In the meantime, gun battles, roadside explosives and suicide bombers are taking their toll as the Taliban stage a powerful comeback. We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan. Will the Taliban fight their way into the government? What's happened to the Bush Administration's prime example of a "failed state" transformed into a democracy?
Guests:
- Paul Watson: South Asia Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times
- Charles Heyman: Defense analyst
- Marvin Weinbaum: Senior Scholar at the Middle East Institute
- Christine Fair: Senior Research Associate at the US Institute of Peace, @CChristineFair
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
DHS Developing Software to Monitor Opinions of the US ()
The New York Times reports that the Department of Homeland Security wants computer software to monitor negative opinions of the US or its leaders in the foreign press. The official goal is to "identify common patterns... that might be indicative of potential threats." Can software be developed to evaluate the relative intensity of different statements? That's the challenge posed for researchers at a consortium of universities with a $2.4 million grant from DHS.
Guests:
- Eric Lipton: National reporter for the New York Times
Links:
Transcripts of To the Point are available from The Transcription Company, (818) 848-6500, or www.transcripts.net. A CD copy is available by calling 1.888.600.5279
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
