A Shaky Start for the New Way Forward

Making News

All-Star Trial of Lewis "Scooter" Libby Begins ()

Jury selection has begun in what could be one of America's juiciest political trials in decades. Vice President Cheney is expected to be a key witness in defense of his former top aide, Lewis Libby, widely known as "Scooter."  Josh Gerstein has been reporting the story for the New York Sun.

Guests:

• Josh Gerstein: national reporter for the New York Sun, @joshgerstein

Main Topic

A Shaky Start for the New Way Forward ()

Another hanging has gone awry, the civilian death toll is higher than anyone thought before and Iraq’s government may not be on board.  All this as Secretary of State Rice visits Iraq's Arab neighbors, trying to sell the President's plan for more troops to avoid total chaos. Meantime, the New York Times quotes a US official in Iraq as saying, "We are implementing a strategy to embolden a government that is actually part of the problem," adding, "we are being played like a pawn." Does America's war in Iraq make for tension between the Arab governments and their own people? How worried are the regimes about the rising influence of Iran? Will talks between Israel and the Palestinians make a difference? We get perspective from journalists in Iraq and Europe, experts on international security and Middle East policy.

Guests:

• John Burns: Baghdad Bureau Chief for the New York Times
• Mustafa Alani: Director of Security and Terrorism Studies at the Gulf Research Center
• Steven Cook: fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, @stevenacook
• Mary Dejevsky: chief editorial writer for the Independent

Links:

• Nawaf Obaid's (Washington Post) article on call for Saudi's to protect Sunnis if US Leaves Iraq

Reporter's Notebook

California's Frost Freezes Nation's Trade in Oranges ()

This week's record cold-snap in California has reached areas that are usually immune to freezing. That's bad news for leafy greens, strawberries, blueberries and avocados.  But the crop hardest hit appears to be oranges, and that will mean increased prices very soon. Oranges are a $1.1 billion industry in California, and this week's cold wave comes at a crucial moment, as only 30% of the current crop has been picked.  John Nelsen is President of California Citrus Mutual, an association of growers.

Guests:

• Joel Nelsen: president of California Citrus Mutual