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
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
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.