Are Hearts and Minds Being Won or Lost in Afghanistan?
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The latest US strategy against the Taliban calls for winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. But complaints of election fraud threaten the credibility of President Hamid Karzai, and contractors guarding the US embassy have shocked Afghan sensibilities. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, we update developments in what's called "Barack Obama's war." Also, Pfizer gets the largest fraud fine in healthcare history, $2.3 billion for illegal marketing of drugs. On Reporter's Notebook, southern California's supermarket launch a price war as grocery chains try to win back shoppers looking for better deals.
Making News
Pfizer Fined $2.3 Billion for Illegal Marketing of Drugs ()
The Obama Administration today announced the largest fine ever levied for fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The $3.2 billion penalty is part of a settlement reached with the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer over illegal promotion of drugs, including Bextra, a painkiller that has been withdrawn from the market. Gardiner Harris reports on public health for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Gardiner Harris: Public Health Reporter, New York Times
Main Topic
Are Hearts and Minds Being Won or Lost in Afghanistan? ()
General Stanley McChrystal says success against the Taliban depends on support from the Afghan people, but public opinion is fast turning sour. Reports of election fraud could sap all confidence in President Hamid Karzai and, if he wins, political opponents might turn to violence. If more US troops are needed, contractors for non-combat roles could reduce the number, but contractors guarding the US embassy are accused of misbehavior Afghans find shocking. We hear more today as questions remain about President Obama's objectives.
Guests:
- Anand Gopal: Correspondent, Wall Street Journal
- Stephen Biddle: Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
- Brian Katulis: member, Democracy International Election Observation Mission, @Katulis
- Adam Zagorin: Senior Fellow, Project on Government Oversight
- Christine Fair: Assistant Professor, Georgetown University's Center for Peace and Security Studies, @CChristineFair
Links:
- Democracy International Election Observation Mission in Afghanistan
- Biddle on improving Afghan governance
- Gopal's article on death of Afghan intelligence official
- McClatchy Poll on sending more troops to Afghanistan
- Project on Government Oversight's letter to Secretary of State Clinton on misbehavior of Kabul embassy guards
- Los Angeles Times article on strategy to boost combat force in Afghanistan
- Dexter Filkins (NYT) article on allegations of voter fraud by Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Reporter's Notebook
Price War Continues in Southern California Grocery Stores ()
The ongoing recession has increased business for discounters like Wal-Mart and Target. Now grocery chains like Vons and Ralph's are striking back with what they call "significant" reductions in prices. While both chains say its just a "coincidence," it's a pattern that's been developing for much of this year. Jerry Hirsch of the Los Angeles Times reports on southern California's supermarket price war.
Guests:
- Jerry Hirsch: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, @LATimesJerry
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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