Pakistan, Afghanistan and America's War on Terror

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Pakistan's newly elected opposition parties have joined forces against President Pervez Musharraf. They want talks with Islamic militants, including the Taliban. What's the future of a Bush Administration ally in the war on terror? What's the likely impact on Afghanistan, where NATO forces are struggling against a tough enemy and among themselves? Also, it's John McCain versus the New York Times and Obama versus Clinton tonight in Texas.

Opposition party leaders Asif Ali Zardari (C), head of the Pakistan People's Party, and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R), head of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, shake hands. At left is Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice chairman of the PPP and a potential candidate for prime minister. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

Making News

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Debris from an obliterated US spy satellite is being tracking over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but it appears to be too small now to cause damage. This after a Navy missile scored direct hit on the failing spacecraft. Gordon Lubold is Pentagon correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.

Guests:

Gordon Lubold: Pentagon Correspondent, Christian Science Monitor

Making News

Rioters Break into US Embassy in Belgrade ()

Also today, Serb rioters broke into the US Embassy in Belgrade, and set fire to the façade after a big protest after the independence of Kosovo. Bratislav Grubacic is editor of the English-language newspaper, VIP News.

Guests:

Bratislav Grubacic: Editor in Chief, VIP News

Main Topic

Pakistan, Afghanistan and America's War on Terror ()

More bad news today for President Pervez Musharraf whose party took a big hit in Pakistan's parliamentary elections. The two main opposition parties have agreed on a "common agenda" which could mean negotiations with militant forces, including the Taliban. Whatever else it could mean, it will not include anyone from the President's former governing coalition. Can Musharraf survive? How will Pakistan shape events in neighboring Afghanistan, where NATO forces already are hard pressed? Should the US stay deeply involved or pull back to make way for a regional, non-military reconciliation?

Guests:

Daniel Markey: Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Graham Usher: Freelance journalist
Selig Harrison: Director of the Asia Program, Center for International Policy

Reporter's Notebook

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"Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself." That's from today's New York Times story on John McCain. The candidate and Vicki Iseman say it's totally false. Even talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has come to McCain's aid, after today's story that, eight years ago, McCain's aides thought he might be having an affair with the lobbyist. This as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton get ready for a crucial debate tonight in Texas. Wayne Slater is senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News.

(KCRW will rebroadcast tonight's debate on Friday, February 22, from 1-3pm.)

Guests:

Wayne Slater: Senior Political Writer, Dallas Morning News

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