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Charles Kupchan Guest
Charles Kupchan

Council on Foreign Relations / Georgetown University

Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University. He is the author of several books, including The End of the American Era: US Foreign Policy and the Geopolitics of the Twenty-First Century, How Enemies Become Friends: The Sources of Stable Peace and No One's World: The West, The Rising Rest, and the Coming Global Turn.

He formerly served as director of European affairs at the National Security Council (Clinton and Obama Administrations).

FROM Charles Kupchan

Tensions with Europe rise as Merkel visits the White House
To the Point

Tensions with Europe rise as Merkel visits the White House German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived at the White House today at a moment of unusual tension between Washington and both her country and the United Kingdom. We hear more about the meeting from President Obama's special assistant for European Affairs. Charles Kupchan, currently with the Council on Foreign Relations , says the two leaders are far apart on several issues, including jobs and NATO.

6 MIN, 31 SEC Mar 17, 2017

Dozens of Civilians Killed in Ukraine While Diplomacy Continues
To the Point

Dozens of Civilians Killed in Ukraine While Diplomacy Continues The Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany met for 5 hours yesterday in Berlin with the goal of “making steps toward a ceasefire possible.” Their conclusion was that “things can get even worse.”

33 MIN, 27 SEC Aug 18, 2014

What Will Vladimir Putin Do Next?
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.

44 MIN, 58 SEC Mar 05, 2014

Fallout in France: Will the Left Return to Power?
To the Point

Fallout in France: Will the Left Return to Power? President Nicolas Sarkozy came in second in the first round of voting in France's presidential elections yesterday behind François Hollande , the Socialist Party candidate. If he loses in the second round of voting on May 6, as many predict, Sarkozy would be France's first one-term president in 31 years. Analysts see the vote as a rebuke to the center-right president's austerity policies as well as his governing style. What can Sarkozy can do in the weeks ahead to win back voters, especially the far right? What changes would a Socialist government bring? If Hollande wins, how will he deal with the Euro crisis? How will French-US relations change?

35 MIN, 24 SEC Apr 23, 2012

Middle East Rulers Seek Divergent Paths to Maintain Power
Which Way, L.A.?

Middle East Rulers Seek Divergent Paths to Maintain Power As clashes continue in Egypt's Tahrir Square, reports from Yemen say the country's president has promised to step down after ten months of protest there. In Barhain, an international commission has found that security forces used excessive force, including torture, on anti-government protesters. Georgetown Professor of International Affairs Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

7 MIN, 16 SEC Nov 23, 2011

Middle East Rulers Seek Divergent Paths to Maintain Power
To the Point

Middle East Rulers Seek Divergent Paths to Maintain Power As clashes continue in Egypt's Tahrir Square, reports from Yemen say the country's president has promised to step down after ten months of protest there. In Barhain, an international commission has found that security forces used excessive force, including torture, on anti-government protesters. Georgetown Professor of International Affairs Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

7 MIN, 38 SEC Nov 23, 2011

Libya, the UN and the Role of NATO
Which Way, L.A.?

Libya, the UN and the Role of NATO After bitter criticism from Libya's rebel leaders, NATO has increased the pace of air attacks on Moammar Gadhafi's forces. NATO officials publicly claim a "clear mandate" to implement the UN Security resolution to use "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians. But as the US declines its traditional leadership role, NATO members are squabbling among themselves and rebels in Libya may be fighting a losing battle. Does Moammar Gadhafi now have the upper hand, both militarily and diplomatically? Will the US help arm the rebels on its own?

21 MIN, 35 SEC Apr 06, 2011

Libya, the UN and the Role of NATO
To the Point

Libya, the UN and the Role of NATO NATO officials publicly claim a "clear mandate" to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 to use "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians. But within the alliance , that means different things to different countries. France and Italy want regime change, while Turkey and Germany never wanted to intervene, and the US has stepped back from leadership of the alliance. Rebel forces say they're not getting the help they need against Moammar Gadhafi's army, as new evidence emerges of government brutality. Can NATO get its act together before the rebels are wiped out? If Gadhafi holds out, can the West avoid another protracted struggle in a Muslim country?  Note: While we were interviewing David Kirkpatrick, who's in Tripoli for the New York Times, he was interrupted. He came back on the phone to say he and some 25 other western journalists had received notes slipped under their doors, ordering them out of Libya by tomorrow morning.

35 MIN, 9 SEC Apr 06, 2011

Obama, Libya's Gadhafi and America's Use of Force
Which Way, L.A.?

Obama, Libya's Gadhafi and America's Use of Force In last night's televised address to the nation, President Obama said Moammar Gadhafi threatened a "massacre" in rebel-held Benghazi that would have "stained the conscience of the world." He said the US had a "unique ability to stop the violence… an international mandate…and a plea for help from the Libyan people themselves…"

26 MIN, 14 SEC Mar 29, 2011

Obama, Libya's Gadhafi and America's Use of Force
To the Point

Obama, Libya's Gadhafi and America's Use of Force Government forces and Libyan rebels traded rocket fire today as Moammar Gadhafi continued to defy international demands for a cease-fire. Hillary Clinton is in London with more than 40 nations and international groups making plans for non-military efforts at rebel support and regime change. Last night, in a televised address , President Obama laid out what's being called a new "doctrine." He said the US had a "unique ability to stop the violence, an international mandate and a plea for help from the Libyan people themselves." He also said removing Gadhafi by force is not an option, even though regime change is Administration policy. Is this selective use of American power really a "doctrine?" Does it give Gadhafi a chance to stay? Is it abandonment of strong leadership or a prudent adjustment to an increasingly complex world?

36 MIN, 30 SEC Mar 29, 2011

Barack Obama's First New War
Which Way, L.A.?

Barack Obama's First New War After weeks of apparent reluctance, the US joined the UN's fight to protect Libyans against their leader, Moammar Gadhafi.  President Obama promptly left for South America, and there's still dispute about the mission, its intended outcome and what the US role really is.

27 MIN, 33 SEC Mar 22, 2011

Barack Obama's First New War
To the Point

Barack Obama's First New War After weeks of apparent reluctance, the United States joined the UN's fight to protect Libyans against their leader, Moammar Gadhafi. President Obama promptly left for South America, saying that the intervention will be over for the US in a matter of days. When he returns, he'll have a lot of questions to answer, especially now that a US plane has crashed in Libya. The crew is safe, but Republicans and Democrats are asking, "What's the mission? Why wasn't Congress asked in advance?  How long will this go on?" Beyond that, is there an overall rationale for intervention in one country versus another? If Libya, why not Yemen, Bahrain or the Ivory Coast? Is there an overall strategy that also considers the impacts on Israel, Iran, North Korea and the roles of the UN and NATO?

37 MIN, 7 SEC Mar 22, 2011

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Which Way, L.A.?

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall It seemed like a fact of geopolitical life that would never change: the Berlin Wall , part of the aftermath of World War II and an unyielding reality of the Cold War. But all that changed in the blink of an eye twenty years ago. In one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century, the Wall came tumbling down. Communism crumbled, the Cold War ended, and a superpower faded. How has the world changed since the Iron Curtain was lifted? Has the triumph of democracy changed life for the better in East Germany? How has political power shifted within Europe? How are Third World countries, once courted as clients, been affected by the end of a two-superpower world? Above: A woman places flowers in the back wall (east side, looking west) of a preserved segment of the Berlin wall during a commemorative event to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall in Berlin today. Photo: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images

34 MIN, 5 SEC Nov 09, 2009

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall
To the Point

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: The Fall of the Berlin Wall It seemed like a fact of geopolitical life that would never change: the Berlin Wall , part of the aftermath of World War II and an unyielding reality of the Cold War. But all that changed in the blink of an eye twenty years ago. In one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century, the Wall came tumbling down. Communism crumbled, the Cold War ended, and a superpower faded. How has the world changed since the Iron Curtain was lifted? Has the triumph of democracy changed life for the better in East Germany? How has political power shifted within Europe? How are Third World countries, once courted as clients, been affected by the end of a two-superpower world? Above: The individually painted dominos fall in front of Brandenburg Gate along the former route of the wall in Berlin, as part of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Photo: Axel Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

35 MIN, 16 SEC Nov 09, 2009

The G-20 and the World's Economic Order
Which Way, L.A.?

The G-20 and the World's Economic Order Despite predictions that their nations would be divided, the G-20 leaders said today they will take unified action against the global recession. The US and Britain say they got what they wanted. Sarkozy of France says it's “more than we could have hoped for.”  Germany's Merkel calls it “almost historic.” We hear what's been accomplished, and what's been left out.  For President Obama, it's on to the 60th anniversary of NATO. What's the modern role of history's most successful alliance?  How much help will the US get in Afghanistan?  Will NATO expansion continue in the direction of Russia?

24 MIN, 10 SEC Apr 02, 2009

The G-20 and the World's Economic Order
To the Point

The G-20 and the World's Economic Order Leaders of the world's largest economies are proclaiming success for their G-20 summit , promising concerted action against the global recession. The US and Britain say they got what they wanted. Sarkozy of France says it's “more than we could have hoped for.”  Germany's Merkel calls it “almost historic.” We hear what's been accomplished, and what's been left out.  For President Obama, it's on to the 60th anniversary of NATO. What's the modern role of history's most successful alliance?  How much help will the US get in Afghanistan?  Will NATO expansion continue in the direction of Russia?

41 MIN, 9 SEC Apr 02, 2009

Recommended

Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies
To the Point

Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.

51 MIN, 16 SEC May 25, 2017

Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming
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.

51 MIN, 20 SEC May 31, 2017

Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe?
To the Point

Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?

51 MIN, 22 SEC Jun 13, 2017

Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder
To the Point

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?

51 MIN, 18 SEC Jun 05, 2017

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