Israeli Offensive, the Arab Media and US Credibility

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There's heavy fighting again today in Southern Lebanon, as Israel ramps up the ground war against Hezbollah. Meantime, Arab television news programs are broadcasting pictures of dead children and other images of the widening humanitarian crisis. It's the twentieth day of fighting which began after Hezbollah captured two of Israel's troops. In the beginning, public opinion in Lebanon was divided over who to blame. Can Washington still be an "honest broker?" Will continuing violence mean declining effectiveness for the diplomacy of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? We speak with pollsters and communication experts journalists in the Middle East about what the ongoing conflict means for America's reputation in the Arab world, where the US is seen as Israel's principal ally. Making News: Ra--l Castro Takes Reigns from FidelIn Havana, Fidel Castro has relinquished power for the first time since becoming Cuba's President in 1959. Castro will be 80 this month and is facing intestinal surgery. His 75-year old brother Ra--l will run the government until Castro recovers. Vanessa Bauz-- who covers the Caribbean for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, has an update and a look at the two brothers whose power extends beyond politics.Reporter's Notebook: Reaction in the US to Castro's Transfer of PowerFidel Castro has relinquished power for the first time since the Cuban revolution. If there's a somber mood in Havana, the reverse is true in Miami, where Cuban exiles have become a potent force in Florida politics and in American policy-making toward Castro's Communist government. Since 1959, they've been waiting for signs that Castro is failing. We hear more about this "temporary" transition of power, and get the reaction of exile groups in Miami and Washington's plans for the time when Castro passes away.
There's heavy fighting again today in Southern Lebanon, as Israel ramps up the ground war against Hezbollah. Meantime, Arab television news programs are broadcasting pictures of dead children and other images of the widening humanitarian crisis. It's the twentieth day of fighting which began after Hezbollah captured two of Israel's troops. In the beginning, public opinion in Lebanon was divided over who to blame. Can Washington still be an "honest broker?" Will continuing violence mean declining effectiveness for the diplomacy of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? We speak with pollsters and communication experts journalists in the Middle East about what the ongoing conflict means for America's reputation in the Arab world, where the US is seen as Israel's principal ally.
  • Making News: Ra--l Castro Takes Reigns from Fidel
    In Havana, Fidel Castro has relinquished power for the first time since becoming Cuba's President in 1959. Castro will be 80 this month and is facing intestinal surgery. His 75-year old brother Ra--l will run the government until Castro recovers. Vanessa Bauz-- who covers the Caribbean for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, has an update and a look at the two brothers whose power extends beyond politics.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Reaction in the US to Castro's Transfer of Power
    Fidel Castro has relinquished power for the first time since the Cuban revolution. If there's a somber mood in Havana, the reverse is true in Miami, where Cuban exiles have become a potent force in Florida politics and in American policy-making toward Castro's Communist government. Since 1959, they've been waiting for signs that Castro is failing. We hear more about this "temporary" transition of power, and get the reaction of exile groups in Miami and Washington's plans for the time when Castro passes away.

Fidel Castro's letter temporarily delegating power to brother Ra--l (English translation)

Bauz--'s article on Castro's surgery, handing power to his brother

Zogby's polling in the Middle East

Al Jazeera

Rosner's blog on the moment of truth for the Bush Administration

Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) on Castro's transition of power

Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba

Cuban American National Foundation

Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 Act (Helms Burton Law)

Miami Herald article on how Castro's health crisis could transform Cuba, exiles in US

Credits

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Warren Olney