Research Scholar at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute
Research Scholar at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University; former coordinator for the implementation of 1994 US-North Korea Agreed Framework
PROFILE
Joel Wit
Guest
FROM Joel Wit
To the Point
North Korea and Nuclear Weapons North Korea's top nuclear negotiator is in New York today, meeting US officials on steps toward establishing diplomatic relations. In 2002, President Bush called North Korea part of his " Axis of Evil ." He accused Pyongyang of breaking a 1994 deal made with the Clinton Administration that provided food and fuel oil in exchange for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. After the President's accusations, the deal was off, and last October, North Korea tested a nuclear bomb. But last week, intelligence officials told the New York Times they not so sure what North Korea was really up to. Did mistakes in Washington lead hawks on both sides to escalate a dangerous confrontation? In the meantime, why does the US need to re-design its nuclear warheads?
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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
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.
To the Point
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?
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.