Director of the Counter Terrorism Project, World Policy Institute
Director of the Counter Terrorism Project at the New School's World Policy Institute in New York City
PROFILE
Ian Cuthbertson
Guest
FROM Ian Cuthbertson
To the Point
Rethinking the 'War on Terror' Al Qaeda has evolved and adapted, and has committed more terrorist actions since September 11 than it did before. President Bush's "War on Terror" has not been successful. That's according to a study by the RAND Corporation, which has analyzed strategies against terrorist groups from 1968 to 2006. The prestigious Defense Department contractor says there's a better way. Although "intelligence and local police work" is a lot less politically sexy, RAND says it has worked where military action has failed. Is it time to rethink US strategy? In the age of nuclear weapons, is there a third way?
To the Point
The London Airline Plot and the War on Terror A jet plane from Britain to Washington, DC was forced down in Boston today because an "unruly" female passenger caused some disturbance. In Britain, police have arrested a 24th suspect in the airline bombing conspiracy, and they're trying to extradite another suspect from Pakistan. Interior ministers from the European Union met today to discuss their mutual security, and Britain's Interior Minister John Reid described the threat of terrorism "very real." We get the latest on these developments and what they reveal about airline safety and the war on terror. Were British investigators pushed to go public by making arrests before they were ready? Is Pakistan in accord with the West, against it--or both? Is the so-called "war on terror" being fought more by intelligence agents than soldiers?
Recommended
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
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
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
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.