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Does WikiLeaks Cause Damage by Shedding Light?
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Does WikiLeaks Cause Damage by Shedding Light?

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WikiLeaks has caused another international sensation by releasing classified documents about the Iraq war. We ask what we know now that we didn't know before. Are WikiLeaks and its whistle-blowers a curse or a blessing? Also, Iran begins to fuel its nuclear reactor, and cutting costs led to spills and explosions, and a PBS documentary on the oil company BP.

Banner image: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a press conference at Park Plaza Hotel on October 23, 2010 in London, England. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Making News

Iran Begins to Fuel Its Nuclear Reactor ()

Iran has begun the process of fuelling its first nuclear reaction, bringing it a step closer to producing electricity. Borzou Daragahi reports from the United Arab Emirates for the Los Angeles Times.

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Main Topic

Who Benefits from WikiLeaks' Release of Military Documents? ()

On Saturday WikiLeaks released almost 400,000 classified field reports about the Iraq war, and promised more to come about the war in Afghanistan. Those reports are now on the Internet and in newspapers worldwide. The Pentagon says WikiLeaks has put lives at risk and given adversaries valuable information. Others say official distortions and wrong-doing have been exposed. What's new about contractors, sectarian executions and civilians killed by American soldiers? What about Iraqi stability after US soldiers stand down? Should the whistle-blowers who were the source of the records be treated as criminals or public servants?

Guests:
  • Pratap Chatterjee: Columnist, Guardian Newspaper
  • John Burns: London Bureau Chief, New York Times
  • Kori Schake: former Director for Defense Strategy, National Security Council
  • Stephen Walt: Dean of International Affairs, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
  • Ryan Crocker: former Ambassador to Iraq
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Reporter's Notebook

Documentary Blames Cost Cutting for BP Oil Spill ()

Even before it was scheduled to air tonight on PBS, Robert Dudley, the new CEO of BP, warned business leaders that his company was about to get another black eye. He said a report by ProPublica and PBS' Frontline would paint an unflattering picture of BP's safety record during its time of dramatic growth. That's according to the documentary scheduled to air tonight on PBS stations, produced by Frontline and ProPublica.  ProPublica's Abrahm Lustgarten is the reporter.

 

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