To the Point
Egypt Goes to the Polls with the Arab World in Flux
Share |

Egypt Goes to the Polls with the Arab World in Flux

Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Podcast iTunes Podcast
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Listen Download Add to My Shows

Egypt turned out en masse for today's elections, while Syria accused the Arab League of economic warfare. We look at the changes wrought by the "Arab Spring" in those and other countries. Also, a NATO airstrike in Pakistan raises tensions, and House Democrats are losing a powerful voice in financial affairs as Barney Frank of Massachusetts says he'll step down.

Banner image: Egyptian voters gather outside a school turned polling station in the Ain Shams district of Cairo on November 28, 2011. Photo by Amro Maraghi/AFP/Getty Images

Making News

NATO Airstrike in Pakistan Raises Tensions ()

The US and NATO will investigate the airstrike that killed some 24 Pakistanis near the Afghan border this weekend. Pakistan says it was unprovoked and closed supply routes to Afghanistan. But Afghan diplomats tell a different story. Alissa Rubin is in Kabul for the New York Times.

Guests:

Main Topic

Progress Reports on the Arab Spring ()

Egypt is the biggest, most influential country in the Arab world, and today's elections will have a major impact region wide. With 40 parties and thousands of candidates for the lower house of Parliament, the election itself was already a complex undertaking. Though turnout was massive for today's elections, protests continue and there's uncertainty about whether the vote will be "free and fair." A UN report accuses Syria of "crimes against humanity," and the Assad regime calls Arab League sanctions a declaration of "economic war." In Yemen, a protest leader has been appointed prime minister. Islamists have won in Morocco, and the government of Kuwait has resigned. We look at a region where decades of repression have given way to widespread instability.

Guests:

Reporter's Notebook

Barney Frank Calls It Quits ()

In 1987, Democrat Barney Frank of Massachusetts became the first member of Congress to publicly come out as gay. Since then, he's become a powerhouse, chairing the House Financial Services Committee when his party was in control. Today, after 30 years in Congress, Frank announced that he won't seek re-election next year, citing recent redistricting. Susan Milligan writes about politics and foreign affairs for US News and World Report.

Guests:
Links:

Engage & Discuss

Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.

For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.