Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University
Professor of Political Science at Ohio State University; author of Overblown: How Politicians and the Terrorism Industry Inflate National Security Threats, and Why We Believe Them and of the forthcoming Atomic Obsession: Nuclear Alarmism from Hiroshima to Al Qaeda
Will the Nuclear Summit Make Us Safer? Nobody knows how likely it is that some terrorist group could set off a nuclear weapon, but the consequences are so catastrophic that even a small chance justifies urgent action to reduce the risk. That was the idea behind President Obama's nuclear summit .
After the Nuclear Summit, What Happens Now? Nobody knows how likely it is that some terrorist group could set off a nuclear weapon. But the consequences are so catastrophic that even a small chance justifies urgent action to reduce the risk. That was the idea behind President Obama's nuclear summit . Ukraine, Mexico, Chile, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Canada have agreed to dispose of highly enriched uranium that might be made into bombs. But those and other commitments at the summit were voluntary, and "locking down" nuclear materials will be easier said than done. Even supporters call the 47-nation meeting a "first step." Opponents say it did nothing to put the brakes on Iran, which will hold its own conference this coming weekend. Others ask if nuclear terrorism is exaggerated in the first place.
Will Afghanistan Be President Obama's Vietnam? President Obama is putting his stamp on the war in Afghanistan. General David McKiernan has now been replaced by Lt. General Stanley McChrystal, "a rising superstar" who'll be leading “an all-star team.”
Will Afghanistan Be President Obama's Vietnam? The President is sending is more soldiers and changing commanders in Afghanistan. General David McKiernan has now been replaced by Lt. General Stanley McChrystal , “a rising superstar” who’ll be leading “an all-star team.” Some conservatives praise him for starting to nation-build. But powerful Democrats want to know if he’s making an open-ended commitment that can’t be sustained, like previous Presidents in Vietnam. Obama says the real issue is the threat from al Qaeda, but even General David Petraeus says al Qaeda’s now totally in Pakistan . Is the war still legal? Will more violence be counterproductive, especially with increased civilian casualties?
Afghanistan, Pakistan and American Security With the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan at his side, President Obama today promised increased military and civilian aid to both countries. But do Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari still have the confidence of their own people -- or the Obama administration? What about Pakistan's nuclear weapons?
Afghanistan, Pakistan and American Security Two years ago, Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai refused to shake hands with General Pervez Musharaff. At the White House today, two beleaguered presidents signed a trade agreement while looking over their shoulders at troubles back home. In Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari's peace deal with the Taliban has unraveled and 500,000 people are on the run. In Afghanistan, Karzai faces an upcoming election as civilian casualties mount from efforts to hold back Taliban forces there. Does either leader still have the confidence of his own people — or the Obama administration? What about Pakistan's nuclear weapons?
Homegrown Terrorism and 'Bunches of Guys' The train bombings in Madrid and London exposed the threat of "homegrown terrorism." Now the focus of law enforcement has changed from disaffected lone wolves to what the FBI calls "BOG's" or "bunches of guys." The New York Police Department pinpoints small groups of "unremarkable people" it says can be transformed into willing killers. The NYPD report calls the process a "road map" of radicalization which creates both opportunities and problems for law enforcement. Can local law enforcement take preventive action against BOG's without violating constitutional liberties? Why do the cops need satellite surveillance?
The Political Legacy of Gerald Ford The man who is often called "the accidental president" was eulogized today by official Washington. Gerald R. Ford , who died a week ago at the age of 93, was appointed Vice President when Spiro Agnew stepped down in the midst of a scandal. Ford became President when Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 to avoid impeachment. After two and a half years, he was defeated by Jimmy Carter in 1976. How did a "creature of Congress" handle executive power in a time of crisis? What are the legacies of Ford himself and the White House staff that included Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney?
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.
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
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?
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?