Columbia University
Senior research scholar, and former Director of the Middle East Institute, at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and author of All Fall Down: America's Tragic Encounter with Iran; National Security Council staffer under Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan, and principal White House aide for Iran during the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis
President Obama and Change in the Middle East President Obama has made his second major address on the Mid East and North Africa. We hear how he thinks the US needs to adapt to changes brought on by the so-called Arab Spring, and what they mean for Israel and the Palestinians.
President Obama on the Middle East and 'Arab Spring' Speaking in Cairo two years ago, President Obama called for a "new beginning" in the Muslim Middle East based on "respect" and "mutual interest." Today, he said the so-called "Arab Spring" requires yet another "new chapter in American diplomacy," and he promised economic help to facilitate democracy. Once again, he criticized Israeli settlements. For the first time, he said a Palestinian state should be based on 1967 boundaries. Did he achieve the goal of a sweeping survey of a complex region? Can he revive American influence? We hear a variety of opinions.
Iran: A Nation in Turmoil After a weekend of protests across the country, the government of Iran today organized large-scale counter demonstrations including threats of death to future dissenters, threats backed up by Iran's highest officials. While such harsh reaction might signal the beginning of the end for Iran's revolutionary regime, there are new problems for the US and its allies. President Obama's offer to "engage" on the nuclear buildup has apparently been rejected, providing new impetus for international sanctions. But can they be targeted narrowly enough to damage government leaders without injuring the dissenters the West wants to help? Will the challenges from within topple the current regime, at least force greater freedom, or lead to a tyranny more repressive than ever?
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.
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?
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.
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.