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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
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
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.