The Atlantic
Contributing editor at The Atlantic magazine and author of the books 1491 and 1493, about the early Americas
PROFILE
Charles Mann
Guest
FROM Charles Mann
To the Point
'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad? With twice the oil and three times the natural gas previously estimated — and plenty of coal -- in just a few years the US could produce more fuel than it burns. But America's "energy independence" could lead to economic upheaval in countries that depend on energy exports, which could spell big trouble for global stability. Beyond that, while oil and natural gas burn cleaner than coal, they're still fossil fuels and, with the latest technology, they might never run out. Would that kill economic incentives for alternative energy sources and the political will to deal with climate change before it's too late?
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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
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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
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.