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Columnist for the New York Times; Foreign editor for three years
Columnist for the New York Times; former foreign editor for the New York Times for three years
PROFILE
Roger Cohen
Guest
FROM Roger Cohen
To the Point
Roger Federer makes history with eight wins at Wimbledon The might and magic of Roger Federer . What's behind the success of the greatest tennis player in history? Switzerland's Roger Federer poses with the trophy as he celebrates winning the final against Croatia's Marin Cilic, July 16, 2017. Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas/Reuters/Pool Even before this year's Wimbledon, Roger Federer was already considered the greatest tennis player in history. Now, after that astounding, record-breaking eighth Wimbledon trophy , the title is undisputed. The 35-year-old Swiss is not only a legendary athlete, he's also a -- normal person. Devoid of any significant scandal in his personal or professional life, Federer makes it all look easy. What explains the man? We ask Roger Cohen, a foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times . He's a man of many talents who is also a tennis fan.
To the Point
Are We Entering an Age of Global Disorder? If chaos is the “new norm,” does it contain the seeds of another global upheaval? World War I was the “war to end all wars,” but it didn’t turn out that way. After World War II and the Cold War, another global conflict has come to be regarded as unthinkable. But this month’s issue of the Atlantic magazine contains an article titled, “ Yes It Could Happen Again .” The author is Roger Cohen, foreign editor for the New York Times for more than a decade, now a columnist based in London.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Age of Outrage in Europe and America Multibillion-dollar investor Warren Buffett has made headlines by suggesting that he and other rich people pay too little in taxes. In this Sunday's New York Times, columnist Roger Cohen wrote that "a feeling has grown in Western societies that uncontrollable forces are at work shrinking possibility. "History," he said, "has never seen a global power shift as radical as the current one that managed to be peaceful." We hear a lively debate.
To the Point
The Age of Outrage in Europe and America In Britain, Greece and elsewhere in Europe, outbreaks of street violence have disrupted the usual tranquility of spring and summer. The combination of high unemployment and new austerity measures is creating a loss of hope in the future among young people. Sound familiar? Multibillion-dollar investor Warren Buffett has made headlines by suggesting that he and other rich people pay too little in taxes. Are countries in the developed West facing a crisis of confidence? On both sides of the Atlantic, the gap between the rich and the rest of the population is growing fast. Is the work ethic losing its currency? Is it time for the rich to pay more taxes and share what they have or face an outbreak of class warfare?
Which Way, L.A.?
Is Rupert Murdoch's Media Empire Crumbling? Rupert Murdoch's troubles in Britain are escalating fast. Since closing his mass-circulation News of the World , he's had to buy back stock to maintain value in his vast holding company, News Corporation. Today, he abandoned plans to take full ownership of the satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting . The scandal over cell phone hacking and bribery by NOW has been reported for years by the Guardian, but not much by anyone else. Then, last week, the paper revealed that its editor-in-chief had warned Prime Minister David Cameron not to hire Andy Coulson, who resigned from News of the World because of the scandal.
To the Point
Murdoch's Media Empire Exposed Rupert Murdoch's troubles in Britain are escalating fast. Since closing his News of the World , he's had to buy back stock in his News Corporation, to keep up its value. Today, he abandoned plans to take full ownership of British Sky Broadcasting, which the BBC calls "a huge humiliation" and "extraordinary reversal of corporate fortune." The scandal over NOW cell phone hacking and bribery has been reported for years by the Guardian, but not much by anyone else. Then, last week, the paper revealed that its editor-in-chief had warned Prime Minister David Cameron not to hire Andy Coulson, who resigned from NOW because of the scandal. How much did Murdoch know about reporters breaking the law to get juicy stories? Did his executives lie to investigators? Has News Corp violated British or American laws? What does the scandal reveal about the culture of news in Britain and in the US, where News Corp owns the New York Post , Fox News and the Wall Street Journal ?
Which Way, L.A.?
Israelis Go to the Polls as the Nation Moves Right Recent polls indicate a close election tomorrow, but all three major parties are moving to the right. That could mean trouble for one of President Obama's major goals, that of negotiations leading to a Palestinian state. We hear about Israel's election tomorrow and the formation of the new government, as well as concerns about security. Does the peace process still have a chance? Is Israel likely to strike Iran?
To the Point
Israelis Head to the Polls as Nation Drifts Right One of President Obama’s top foreign policy goals is a settlement in the Middle East and a Palestinian nation. But, will Israel go along? After Gaza, Israelis reportedly feel more threatened than ever, by rocket fire from Hamas and Hezbollah and by nuclear development in Iran. Recent polls indicate that tomorrow’s election in Israel will be close. All three “mainstream” candidates are talking tough – and moving to the right. Front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to trading occupied land for peace, but the likely kingmaker in forming a new government is a nationalist who’s compared by the left to Mussolini and Stalin. That could mean trouble for what President Obama goal of negotiations leading to a Palestinian state. Does the peace process still have a chance? Is Israel likely to strike Iran?
Recommended
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
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?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
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.