Director for the Middle East and Africa Practice, Eurasia Group
Director for the Middle East and Africa Practice of the Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy firm based in Washington, DC
PROFILE
Rochdi Younsi
Guest
FROM Rochdi Younsi
To the Point
President Obama Arrives in the Middle East As President Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia today, Al-Jazeera aired what purports to be a threatening new audiotape from Osama bin Laden. But King Abdullah met Air Force One in searing heat at the airport and the two exchanged kisses on both cheeks. The President is on his way to Cairo for tomorrow's speech to the Muslim world. He met with King Abdulla to "seek his majesty's counsel." Saudi Arabia is a major player in both the religion and politics of a troubled region, and it's key to stabilizing the price of oil. We hear about common interests and differences on Iraq, the Taliban, Iran's nuclear program and peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?