Violence and Politics: Iraq, the US and Iran

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In Iraq, violence has increased and Iran has broken off talks with the US on Iraqi security.  The Maliki government has backed away from claims that Iran is arming outlaw militias.  We update conditions that seem more complicated by the day, both militarily and politically. Also, relief efforts continue in Myanmar, and there are massive voter turnouts today in Indiana and North Carolina. We get some informed speculation on what the results might be.

Photo: Wissam Al-Okaili/AFP/Getty Images

Making News

Relief Efforts Continue in Myanmar ()

In the aftermath of Saturday's cyclone in Myanmar, the official estimates of the death toll have risen to 50,000 with two to three million additional people now homeless. That's according to foreign aid workers struggling to provide relief to remote areas in an isolated country. Jennifer Quigley is advocacy coordinator for the US Campaign for Burma.

Guests:

• Jennifer Quigley: Advocacy Coordinator for the US Campaign for Burma

Links:

• Bush on Congressional Gold Medal for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, aid for Myanmar

Main Topic

US Blames Iran for Escalating Violence in Iraq ()

Iran has suspended talks with the US on Iraqi security, denouncing US attacks on Shiite militias in Baghdad. The US accuses Iran of supplying the militias with weapons. Charges and counter-charges fly amid increasing violence in a complex political labyrinth. Does support for the Maliki government mean taking sides in a Shiite civil war? Is the US fighting a proxy war with Iran? We update conditions on the ground and the prospects for stability in Iraq before both US and Iraqi elections.

Guests:

• Tina Susman: Baghdad Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times
• Richard Schmierer: Director of Iraqi Affairs, US State Department
• Vali Nasr: Professor of International Politics, Tufts University
• Stephen Biddle: Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

Links:

• Susman's article on Iran's promise to stabilize security in Iraq
• Nasr's 'The Shia Revival'
• Biddle's 'Military Power'

Reporter's Notebook

Tar Heels and Hoosiers, Clinton and Obama ()

Record numbers of voters are crowding the polls in both Indiana and North Carolina.  Barack Obama hopes a win in both states will make him the Democratic nominee.  Hillary Clinton wants to do well enough to keep going. We hear more about today's races from veteran political observer Brian Howey, who blogs at HoweyPolitics.com, and Raleigh News and Observer's political reporter Rob Christiansen, author of The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics.

Guests:

• Brian Howey: Publisher, Howey Politics Indiana
• Rob Christiansen: Political Reporter, Raleigh News and Observer

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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