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New York Times
Ben Hubbard is a Middle East correspondent for the New York Times. He is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
PROFILE
Ben Hubbard
Guest
FROM Ben Hubbard
To the Point
Military escalation… without diplomacy President Trump wants the Pentagon to "fight to win," and battlefield commanders now make decisions that used to come from the Obama White House. There's been increased action in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, and a dramatic rise in civilian casualties — providing fodder for Islamic State propaganda. What's missing is diplomacy and political planning for what to do when the wars are over. But even Trump's critics say Obama didn't have any "endgames" either. We hear about America's increased involvement in murky wars where victory might be possible… but not sustainable.
To the Point
Obama in Riyadh amid Increasing US-Saudi Tensions President Obama is in Saudi Arabia today at a tense moment in USSaudi relations. The long-standing alliance is based on oil and security concerns, but now is being frayed by diverging goals in Middle East conflicts, by Obama's recent reference to the Saudis as "free riders" and renewed calls from Congress to allow Americans sue them for 9/11. President Barack Obama is greeted by officials upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport for a summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 20, 2016. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters We hear more about the growing tensions from Ben Hubbard, Middle East correspondent for the New York Times , and Fred Wehrey, senior associate in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace .
To the Point
More than 700 Killed in Hajj Stampede Saudi Arabia takes pride in hosting the Hajj every year, when millions of Muslims travel to Mecca, but once again the pilgrimage has turned deadly. Less than two weeks ago a construction crane crashed, killing 111 people. Today, six miles from Mecca, more than 700 were killed and almost 900 were injured in a stampede. Ben Hubbard is Middle East Correspondent for the New York Times .
To the Point
In Homs, Respite from Siege Provides Little Relief Syrian peace talks resumed today in Geneva—with no face-to-face negotiations yet between dissidents and the government. Meantime this weekend’s three-day humanitarian cease-fire in the City of Homs did not provide the moment of relief hoped for by trapped civilians. That’s according to Ben Hubbard, who’s in Antakya, Turkey for the New York Times.
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To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
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.
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
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.