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Washington Post
London Bureau Chief for the Washington Post
PROFILE
Griff Witte
Guest
FROM Griff Witte
To the Point
What’s next for the UK, Theresa May, and Brexit? Prime Minister Theresa May called early elections to increase her conservative majority in the British Parliament. Yesterday, voters reduced it instead. But British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to hold on to power. We’ll hear what Americans need to know beyond “the British Bernie Sanders” and Lord Buckethead. Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Manchester at the Labour general election launch event.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The latest on the Manchester attack and ISIS ISIS has claimed responsibility for the terrorist bombing in Manchester that killed 22. Authorities now have at least five people in custody and they are looking for more. We discuss the latest in the investigation and ISIS’s communication strategy, including the group’s mastery of social media
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Long-awaited Report Slams Blair for British Involvement in Iraq A massive report released Wednesday after a seven-year-long inquiry slammed former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for leading Britain into the Iraq War. The Chilcot report sharply criticized Britain’s political and military leaders, and Blair in particular, for taking the country into a war that was “avoidable,” and ended “a very long way from success.” What was Blair’s reaction to the 2.6 million-word assessment? Could the findings lead to legal action against the former Prime Minister and members of his administration?
To the Point
UK Inquiry: Putin "Probably" OK'ed Polonium Poisoning After a lengthy investigation, British Foreign Secretary Sir Robert Owen said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably ordered the murder of a former KGB agent who fled to the West and sought asylum. Griff Witte is London Bureau Chief for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Britain's Weird Election Britain has a parliamentary system, but for many decades, it's been a two-party affair. Tomorrow's election could make a historic difference. In Britain, it's not just the Conservative and Labour Parties any more. There are challengers from both the Left and the Right -- and the outcome is unpredictable, as we hear from Griff Witte, London bureau chief for the Washington Post .
To the Point
UK Parliament Approves Airstrikes on ISIS in Iraq Britain’s Parliament voted today for airstrikes against ISIL—the so-called Islamic State—after a passionate address by Prime Minister David Cameron. The vote was 524 to 43; for authorization, that’s much more limited than the big margin might suggest. Griff Witte is London Bureau Chief for the Washington Post.
To the Point
British Jihadists and ISIS In the video of journalist James Foley’s beheading, his masked executioner speaks with a London accent—bringing Prime Minister David Cameron home from a family vacation, calling the killing “shocking and depraved.” Prime Minister Cameron held emergency meetings at 10 Downing Street to discuss the involvement of British citizens with the Islamic State. Griff Witte is reporting from London for the Washington Post.
To the Point
CIA Informants Arrested by Pakistan Pakistan says reports that an Army major has been arrested for helping the CIA watch Osama bin Laden's hiding spot in Abbottabad are "totally baseless." But neighbors say he and several others have disappeared from the neighborhood. Girff Witte, Deputy Foreign Editor for the Washington Post , is in Islamabad.
Which Way, L.A.?
Israelis Go to the Polls as the Nation Moves Right Recent polls indicate a close election tomorrow, but all three major parties are moving to the right. That could mean trouble for one of President Obama's major goals, that of negotiations leading to a Palestinian state. We hear about Israel's election tomorrow and the formation of the new government, as well as concerns about security. Does the peace process still have a chance? Is Israel likely to strike Iran?
To the Point
Israelis Head to the Polls as Nation Drifts Right One of President Obama’s top foreign policy goals is a settlement in the Middle East and a Palestinian nation. But, will Israel go along? After Gaza, Israelis reportedly feel more threatened than ever, by rocket fire from Hamas and Hezbollah and by nuclear development in Iran. Recent polls indicate that tomorrow’s election in Israel will be close. All three “mainstream” candidates are talking tough – and moving to the right. Front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to trading occupied land for peace, but the likely kingmaker in forming a new government is a nationalist who’s compared by the left to Mussolini and Stalin. That could mean trouble for what President Obama goal of negotiations leading to a Palestinian state. Does the peace process still have a chance? Is Israel likely to strike Iran?
To the Point
Taliban Extends Deadline for South Korean Hostages Several news agencies are quoting Taliban sources who are saying they have shot to death another kidnapped South Korean. A South Korean envoy is headed for Afghanistan in the hopes of rescuing the rest. Most of the hostages are women. There are 21 or 22 remaining in custody. Griff Whitte is in Islamabad, covering Afghanistan and Pakistan for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Suicide Bombers Target Bagram during Cheney Visit In Afghanistan today, a suicide bomber attacked Bagram Air Base , America's principal military base while Dick Cheney was visiting. The Vice President was unhurt, but at least 23 other people were killed. Cheney later met with President Hamid Karzai, who was reportedly "upbeat." Griff Witte, Foreign Correspondent for the Washington Post , has more on the reasons behind the Vice President's trip and meeting with Hamid Karzai as well as the increasing use of suicide bombers in Afghanistan.
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To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
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.
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?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?