New America Foundation
Bernard L. Schwartz Fellow at the New America Foundation and author of No Good Men Among the Living: The Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes; former correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and the Christian Science Monitor
Has Democracy Come to Afghanistan? With Hamid Karzai termed out of office, eight candidates are running for president of Afghanistan. Some US officials claim this weekend's election will accomplish "the first, peaceful, democratic" transition of power in that country's history. But it might not turn out that way. The Taliban has already increased the level of violence, and voter fraud is predicted on what's called an "industrial" scale. Nonetheless, thousands of potential voters have showed up at rallies, and the increased participation of women reflects profound cultural change. Will the election preserve those gains by creating a government perceived as "legitimate" by Afghans and by Americans?
President Karzai Comes to Washington A rebroadcast of Today's To The Point At the White House today, President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged cooperation and friendship based on long term mutual interests. Responding to a reporter’s question, Obama said what he called “perceived tensions” during the past few weeks were “overstated…”
President Karzai Comes to Washington After a campaign of tough love that appeared to go nowhere, President Obama has turned on the charm for Afghan President Hamid Karzai. At the White House today, he said reported tensions were “overstated.” Karzai thanked him for American resources and sacrifice on behalf of his country. But both presidents acknowledged a rough road ahead—well beyond July of next year, when Obama plans to begin a drawdown of US forces. Karzai said disagreements are normal after 10 years of warfare against the Taliban. An Afghan reporter asked him about planned peace talks with the Taliban. Will they include upper-level leaders who have refused to meet US demands that they lay down their arms, recognize the country’s constitution and respect human rights. Has Karzai’s visit produced a plan for what happens next?
Afghan Flag Raised over Marjah The government of Afghanistan took official control of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah today, raising the national flag and installing an official administrator. US-led troops are reportedly working to root out the pockets of remaining resistance. Anand Gopal has been reporting from Afghanistan for two years.
Obama's Troop Build-up in Afghanistan Today's New York Times reports that the President will send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in the next six months, describing the move as "a huge gamble." In Afghanistan, tribal leaders and politicians " have expressed doubts " over the surge strategy.
Afghan Bombs Take the Lives of Eight More US Troops Yesterday, 14 Americans were killed in helicopter crashes, the deadliest day in four years for the US in Afghanistan. Today, eight American soldiers were killed in multiple bomb attacks, making this the deadliest month since the war began in 2001. Anand Gopal is in Kabul for the Wall Street Journal .
Karzai Forced into Run-off Election After reports of widespread fraud in Afghanistan's recent election, President Hamid Karzai has agreed to a run-off to be held in less than three weeks. By Karzai's side was Democratic Senator, and former presidential nominee John Kerry . Anand Gopal is in Kabul for the Wall Street Journal .
Are Hearts and Minds Being Won or Lost in Afghanistan? General Stanley McChrystal says success against the Taliban depends on support from the Afghan people, but public opinion is fast turning sour. Reports of election fraud could sap all confidence in President Hamid Karzai and, if he wins, political opponents might turn to violence. If more US troops are needed, contractors for non-combat roles could reduce the number, but contractors guarding the US embassy are accused of misbehavior Afghans find shocking. We hear more today as questions remain about President Obama's objectives.
Are Hearts and Minds Being Won or Lost in Afghanistan? General Stanley McChrystal says success against the Taliban depends on support from the Afghan people, but public opinion is fast turning sour. Reports of election fraud could sap all confidence in President Hamid Karzai and, if he wins, political opponents might turn to violence. If more US troops are needed, contractors for non-combat roles could reduce the number, but contractors guarding the US embassy are accused of misbehavior Afghans find shocking. We hear more today as questions remain about President Obama's objectives.
Afghanistan Takes Another Shot at Democracy The Obama Administration's "three-legged stool" for Afghanistan includes security, economic development and better governance . More troops are on the way, multi-billion dollar development contracts are being signed and national elections are just over a week away. Will the vote demonstrate political stability in a nation at war? With 40 other candidates on the ballot, President Hamid Karzai may be forced into a runoff. How deep is resentment over governmental corruption and the perception of US influence? Will voters outside Kabul ignore Taliban threats and go to the polls? Will it take deals with warlords and drug traffickers to keep Karzai in office?
Afghanistan Takes Another Shot at Democracy The Obama Administration's "three-legged stool" for Afghanistan includes security, economic development and better governance . More troops are on the way, multi-billion dollar development contracts are being signed and national elections are just over a week away. Will the vote demonstrate political stability in a nation at war? With 40 other candidates on the ballot, President Hamid Karzai may be forced into a runoff. How deep is resentment over governmental corruption and the perception of US influence? Will voters outside Kabul ignore Taliban threats and go to the polls? Will it take deals with warlords and drug traffickers to keep Karzai in office?
Renewed Focus on the War in Afghanistan Eight years after being routed by American forces, the Taliban have regained control of much of Afghanistan. Military leaders say 70,000 US and NATO soldiers can't secure the population, so President Obama has promised some 25,000 more. Vice President Biden says the Administration has inherited "a real mess," and that there will be more American casualties. Even Obama Administration advisors say the President's principal challenge is to define the mission. Critics warn of a "quagmire" the US can't afford. Afghanistan is bigger than Iraq and harder to pacify, and efforts gone wrong could destabilize Pakistan, the nuclear-armed neighbor next door. What are America's goals and objectives? What are the benefits and risks of possible options?
More Military and Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan More foreign troops are being killed in Afghanistan of late than in Iraq as US and NATO forces ramp up against the resurgent Taliban. Today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates extended his " personal regrets " for the collateral deaths of Afghan civilians. Gates made his apology on a surprise trip to Afghanistan. Meeting with President Hamid Karzai, he promised the US would try to avoid such mistakes in the future. Anand Gopal is in Kabul for the Christian Science Monitor .
NATO Troops under Fire from the Taliban Yesterday, ten French paratroopers were ambushed and killed in Afghanistan. Today, as many as ten people died from a missile strike on a suspected militant hideout in Pakistan. Meantime, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in Kabul, where Anand Gopal is reporting for the Christian Science Monitor .
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.
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?
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
