To the Point
Fighting Terrorism with Tactics from the Cold War
Osama bin Laden and other terrorists are harder to get close to than the Soviet leaders during the Cold War. US agencies want an increase in "soft power" to get inside the heads of extremists and potential recruits. We hear the pros and cons and ask if al Qaeda is running a better propaganda machine than the western alliance. Also, the Mayor of Detroit is charged with felony crimes, and the Olympic Torch begins its trip from Greece to China.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenOsama bin Laden and other terrorists are harder to get close to than the Soviet leaders during the Cold War. US agencies want an increase in "soft power" to get inside the heads of extremists and potential recruits. We hear the pros and cons and ask if al Qaeda is running a better propaganda machine than the western alliance. Also, the Mayor of Detroit is charged with felony crimes, and the Olympic Torch is on its way to China, but not without protest. Will it make the summit of Mount Everest?
Banner image: A French protestor of the human rights group 'Reporters Without Borders' is carried away by plainclothes police as China's top Olympic organiser Liu Qi (R) addresses a speech during the lighting ceremony of the flame for Beijing's Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia. Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesDetroit Mayor Indicted on Felony Charges
Kwame Kilpatrick is the first Mayor of Detroit charged with felony crimes while in office. He and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, were indicted this morning for perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and misconduct in office. At a press conference today, Kilpatrick said he looks forward to "complete exoneration."
Read the story6 minTerrorism and Cold War Tactics
During the Cold War, US intelligence struggled to penetrate the Kremlin, which ran the Soviet Union with an iron hand. Today's intelligence professionals say terrorist groups like al Qaeda pose an even more difficult challenge. True believers won't take bribes and scoff at threats of retaliation.
Read the story36 minThe Torch Goes over the Mountain
China's worst fears were realized today when the Olympic flame couldn't be lit without disruption caused by the recent unrest in Tibet. At the lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia, protesters evaded massive security to unfurl a banner showing the Olympic rings as handcuffs.
Read the story7 min
