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Journalist, contributor at Politico Europe
Journalist in London, and a contributor to Politico Europe. Russian analyst and author of Fragile Empire: How Russia Fell In and Out of Love with Vladimir Putin
PROFILE
Ben Judah
Guest
FROM Ben Judah
To the Point
The World Reels from Historic Exit We continue our discussion of Britain’s historic exit from the EU -- how this has shaken the world markets, has far-reaching economic repercussions for Europe and the US, and what this populist win in Britain says about anti-establishment sentiment in the U.S. and how it will play in November’s election.
To the Point
Syria's Civil War Goes Multi-national What started as an uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has become more complicated than ever. Russia and the US are dropping bombs on the same country, and although both are opposed to ISIS, they are on different sides of the civil war. At the same time, Iraq is inviting Russia to join the US by dropping bombs there. France is part of the American coalition, and Iranian troops have been sent to Syria, joining Hezbollah forces from Lebanon. And President Obama is accused of creating a Middle-East vacuum for President Putin to fill. We try to connect the dots.
To the Point
What Will Vladimir Putin Do Next? American and European diplomats are trying to ease a potentially dangerous crisis, claiming Russia has illegally taken control of Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin insists he hasn't sent any troops in yet — and that what's illegal is Ukraine's new regime, which overthrew an elected leader. The US has offered a $1 billion loan guarantee . The EU announced an aid package worth $15 billion in cash and infrastructure assistance. The IMF is already negotiating terms in Kiev. What the US wants most is for Russian diplomats to meet with those from Ukraine. Does Putin already have what he wants or has he made a strategic error? As the US and European Union try to craft a response, is Germany on board? We look at the economic, diplomatic and military options for an uneasy alliance against a Russian President with a very different view of the world.
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
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
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.