A New Assessment of the Threat from Iran
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The CIA says Iran is not trying to build nuclear weapons any more, but President Bush says it's still a real threat to the rest of the world. The latest National Intelligence Estimate: how does it look to America's friends and potential enemies? Also, with the first voting less than a month away, five Republican candidates have a shot at primary victories. We hear about religion and immigration. Will the campaigns be affected by the news on Iran?
White House photo: Joyce N. Boghosian
Main Topic
Bush Defends Past Stance on Nuclear Threat from Iran ()
In October President Bush talked about Iran's nuclear program in terms of "World War III." But the latest National Intelligence Estimate says Iran stopped trying to build a bomb four years ago. Today, the President reiterated that Iran remains a threat to the world, one whose nuclear program, if restarted, could have "the ability to enrich uranium, the knowledge of which could be passed on to a hidden program." He called the latest NIE not an argument for change, but for more international pressure to make sure the program is not resumed and to "convince the Iranians that there is a better way forward." Will this reduce the possibility of military action? Will the US still have credibility with crucial allies? We hear from Europe and Israel.
Guests:
- Jonathan Landay: National Security Correspondent, McClatchy Newspapers, @Bluesdriver
- Ali Ansari: Professor of History, University of St. Andrews
- Gabriel Schoenfeld: Senior Editor, Commentary
- Mordechai Kedar: Arab Affairs Expert, Bar Ilan University
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Reporter's Notebook
The GOP Primary Race ()
On the Republican side of the Presidential campaign, there is no clear front-runner. Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson and John McCain all have a chance to win at least one of the three key contests in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina. Will the new National Intelligence Estimate make a difference?
Guests:
- Ron Brownstein: Political Director, Atlantic Media, @RonBrownstein
- Tony Fabrizio: Republican pollster, Fabrizio, McLaughlin, & Associates
- Andrew Smith: Professor of Political Science, University of New Hampshire
- Alan Wolfe: Professor of Political Studies, Boston College
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