Foreign Policy and the Presidential Campaign

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This year's presidential campaign will be, in part, a debate on America's role in a changing world. We hear the world-views of advisors to McCain and Obama, then debate specific differences on Iraq, terrorism and relations with other nations from Iran to China, Russia and the European Union. Also, Hezbollah takes control of Beirut. On Reporter's Notebook, as Myanmar continues to refuse international disaster assistance, what about the so-called "obligation to protect" people from their own governments?

Making News

Hezbollah Takes Control of Beirut ()

In Beirut, Lebanon today, the forces of Hezbollah seized large areas of the capital city. It's a dramatic show of force by the Iran-backed opposition, which appears to have defeated pro-government forces backed by the US. About ten people have been killed. Andrew Lee Butters is in Beirut for Time magazine.

Guests:

Andrew Lee Butters: Middle East Correspondent, Time magazine

Main Topic

Are the Candidates Ready for a Post-American World? ()

This year's presidential campaign is shaping up as a major debate on America's foreign policy with stark differences between the most likely candidates. John McCain wants "victory" in Iraq. Barack Obama wants an end—not just to the war, but to what he calls the "mindset" that started it in the first place. Obama wants to talk to America's enemies, while McCain calls that "naive." Those and other stark differences may lead to a history-making debate about America's role in a changing world. Can the US shape global events or is America's super-power dominance in decline? We hear about military power, diplomacy, terrorism and the challenges of globalization.

Guests:

Robert Kagan: unpaid advisor to John McCain
Parag Khanna: unpaid advisor to Barack Obama
Spencer Ackerman: Senior Fellow, Washington Independent
Nile Gardiner: former Advisor, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani

Reporter's Notebook

Are More Radical Measures Necessary to Get Aid to Myanmar? ()

In Myanmar, the UN suspended relief supplies today after military leaders seized shipments headed for cyclone survivors and turned away aid workers. Now the regime says one American flight will be allowed in, and the UN says it will resume efforts tomorrow. Amid the confusion, a massive humanitarian crisis is underway involving a million people. "You could make the argument that it is a crime against humanity," says Political Science Professor Thomas Weiss of the City University of New York, an architect of the doctrine known as "the responsibility to protect."

•International Medical Corps
•International Rescue Committee
•American Red Cross

dead children

dying elderly woman

trapped dead man

Images of Myanmar victims courtesy of the Soros Foundation and a reporter from the Democratic Voice of Burma.

Guests:

Thomas Weiss: Professor of Political Science, City University of New York

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