Professor of Middle East History and Politics, American University
Co-author of The Historical Dictionary of Iraq and Professor of Middle East History and Politics at American University in Washington, DC
PROFILE
Edmund Ghareeb
Guest
FROM Edmund Ghareeb
To the Point
Christmas Returns to a Hopeful Baghdad In 1987 an Iraqi census counted one million Christians. Now there might be half a million or so in a country of 25 million. What's it like for them at Christmas time? Last year, an inflatable Santa Claus—or Father Christmas—stayed in a box during the Christmas season. This year, he's back on the street in front of a juice shop in central Baghdad, "one arm outstretched in a welcoming wave." That's according to Deborah Haynes, who writes for the Times of London . We also get perspective from historian Edmund Ghareeb, co-author of The Historical Dictionary of Iraq .
To the Point
Saddam's Execution Raises Questions Saddam Hussein's execution was supposed to be a formal and solemn affair, but guards charged with keeping order chanted Shiite slogans and exchanged insults with the former head of state. Today, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered an investigation into the taunting of Hussein before his execution as well as into how videotape was released to the world. We hear more about the reaction to those sounds and images.
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To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
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?
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
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?