Former US Ambassador to South Korea and China
Former US Ambassador to South Korea and China (Reagan and Bush Administrations), and former Assistant Secretary of Defense (first Bush Administration); former Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
PROFILE
James Lilley
Guest
FROM James Lilley
To the Point
America, China, Tibet and Double Standards As China prepares to welcome the Olympic Games , world leaders are under increasing pressure protest China's treatment of Tibet. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain's Prince Charles are all boycotting the opening of the Beijing Olympics, and some American politicians want President Bush to do the same. Will public embarrassment of China help Tibetans? Will protests in Tibet derail the Olympics? Should world leaders boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing? Are western leaders applying double standards when it comes to human rights?
To the Point
What Should the US Do about Burma? Despite years of isolation by a despotic regime, the world is watching the military crackdown on peaceful protesters in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The official death toll is now ten. Diplomats in the capital say it's more than that by "many multiples." Now there are reports of "unusual troop movements" and a disagreement between the chief of the military junta and his second in command, who leads the army. Condoleezza Rice calls the crackdown a " travesty ," and neighboring countries have expressed "revulsion," but all eyes are on China, which has ruled out sanctions. We get an update and background on a country compared to North Korea for brutalizing a starving population. With no economic interests, should the US still intervene or keep a low profile? Have Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo damaged America's moral standing?
Which Way, L.A.?
Global Community Reacts to North Korea's First Nuclear Test North Korea says it has successfully conducted its first underground nuclear test, an action that has generated grave concern from the international community. News of the event dominated this morning's UN agenda, where the 15-member Security Council spent a brisk 30 minutes in universally condemning the test . President Bush responded by calling North Korea's actions "unacceptable" and deserving of "immediate response," vowing to hold Pyongpang "fully accountable." Similar statements of concern have been issued from spokespeople in South Korea, the UK, China, Japan and Australia. Guest host Diana Nyad explores the UN's response to what countries such as China are calling "flagrant and brazen" violations of international opinion.
To the Point
Korean Nominated as Secretary General as Defiant DPRK Conducts Nuclear Test North Korea says it has successfully conducted its first underground nuclear test, an action that has reportedly brought joy to the people and the army of that country, and condemnation and concern from the international community. President Bush has spoken to the leaders of South Korea, China, Japan and Russia, all of whom agreed that North Korea's actions "are unacceptable and deserve an immediate response." Meantime, the United Nations Security Council has nominated South Korea's Ban Ki-moon to replace Kofi Annan as the next Secretary General. The General Assembly will vote this week. If approved, Ban would become take over the leadership role on January 1 of 2007. Guest host Diana Nyad explores the role Ban will play in the UN's "responsibility to protect" and the fine line he'll walk over negotiations with North Korea.
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Left, Right & Center
The Left, Right & Center Midterms Special The results are in. Who’s happy? Who’s not?
To the Point
Midterm Elections and the Divider in Chief During a visit to Pittsburgh to honor the victims of an anti-Semitic attack, President Trump was met with protests. The president has ridiculed Democrats targeted with pipe bombs and deployed troops against Central American asylum seekers. By defying the tradition of ‘President as Unifier,’ can Trump help maintain Republican dominance in Washington?