Legatum Institute
Senior fellow at the Legatum Institute, contributing editor to Foreign Policy magazine and the author of Strange Rebels: 1979 and the Birth of the 21st Century
PROFILE
Christian Caryl
Guest
FROM Christian Caryl
To the Point
A Political Upset in Turkey Means New Uncertainty in the Middle East Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was not on the ballot, but Sunday's parliamentary election was widely seen as a referendum on his leadership and his ambition for more political power. His Muslim-oriented party won the most votes, but lost the parliamentary majority it's held since 2002. For the first time, a party including Kurds and other minorities won the right to participate in government. The conservative leader now faces a deadline to form a ruling coalition. But, what liberals call a win for democracy has led to drops in economic indicators, and political instability seems likely. What will that mean for the US, Turkey's other NATO allies and the fight against ISIS?
To the Point
‘Strange Rebels’ and the Significance of 1979 In his new book, “Strange Rebels,” Christian Caryl maintains that 1979 was a “transformative” year when apparently different leaders were all seized by a “peculiar spirit of defiance.” The result was the end of the post-World-War II order and the beginning of what we know now: an era of globalized economics and politicized religion.
To the Point
The Middle East: From Democracy to Chaos Two years ago, Tunisia led the so-called "Arab Spring" by replacing a dictatorship with a democracy. Egypt was not far behind. But elected, Islamist governments have provoked secular opposition, and the streets of both countries are full of protesters once again. Tunisia was hailed as the model for peaceful transition, but an assassination has led to the first general strike in 35 years. In Egypt, murders during a soccer match have turned organized clubs into disruptive political rivals. We update events in both countries and learn how the social media that helped create peaceful revolutions are now threatening unity.
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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
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?
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
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?