Investor Anxiety; Syrian Instability; Perry Scrutinized

We welcome Arianna Huffington back to to the program this week.* She joins our other LRC panelists to discuss Wall Street's ongoing reflection of investor anxiety over the economic instability both abroad and here at home. Also, President Obama this week called on Syrian President Assad to step down. There are reports that security forces have killed at least a dozen protesters in the region, despite assurances that military operations against the opposition had ended. And finally we discuss the candidacy of Republican Rick Perry, whose record as Texas Governor has been carefully scrutinized since entering the race for president this past week. (Matt Continetti sits in for Tony Blankley.)

* As many listeners know, Arianna has been on a leave of absence while focusing full-time on her duties as president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group. She generously offered to return this week during KCRW's Summer Pledge Drive. We will keep you updated on when she plans to return to Left Right & Center. In the meantime, feel free to comment on her appearance this week -- we know she has been missed!

Banner image: A child, holding a placard, stands on pictures of members of the syrian government including President Bashar al-Assad (C) during a protest gathering activists, including Syrians living in Switzerland opposed to the syrian regime in front of the consulate on August 12, 2011 in Geneva.Photo credit should read Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images