- Social:
George Mason University
Adjunct professor of law at George Mason University; former chief counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a key drafter of the Corker/Cardin Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act
PROFILE
Jamil N. Jaffer
Guest
FROM Jamil N. Jaffer
To the Point
Does ISIS Want a War with the West? Authorities now agree that Friday's assault on Paris was directed by ISIS in Syria, and it's widely expected that ISIS will strike again. It's not clear if a bold, new international offensive is under way or if ISIS is a losing movement trying to make itself relevant to the rest of the world. The danger is real either way, but there's dispute about how to respond — and how to prevent attacks in the future. The options include open warfare, invasive surveillance and diplomacy by Western powers and, more importantly, Syria's neighbors in the Middle East.
To the Point
The Iran Nuclear Deal Is Now Up to Congress Last week, the Obama Administration asked the UN Security Council to vote on the Iran nuclear deal. Today it got the unanimous vote it wanted. All 15 members endorsed the agreement to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for limitations on Iran's development of nuclear technology. Now, Congress with 60 days to approve or reject it. Republicans and some Democrats are furious at the Obama Administration for asking the Security Council to go first . Opponents say the agreement could pave the way for Iran to make a nuclear bomb. Supporters say it's the best thing possible and much better than nothing. They warn that continued division within the US will have dangerous consequences for America's world leadership.
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To the Point
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.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
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.