Publisher, Harper's magazine
Publisher of Harper's magazine; author of The Selling of Free Trade: NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy and You Can't Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America
PROFILE
John "Rick" MacArthur
Guest
FROM John "Rick" MacArthur
Which Way, L.A.?
President Obama and the Search for Common Ground There was bloody violence on the streets of Tehran today as police clubbed, gassed and possibly even shot at some 200 demonstrators. Yesterday, President Obama hardened his tone toward Iran, using language that’s already become familiar.
To the Point
President Obama and the Effort to Find Common Ground Yesterday, President Obama toughened his language against political repression by the government of Iran. Today, more bloody violence is being reported. The President has tried to keep open the prospect of dialogue about nuclear development and other issues, but critics now call that policy "dead." Was it a mistake to try to find common ground? Is there any hope that the US can protect demonstrators or persuade Iran to change its ways? What do these events reveal about the President's overall strategy, for domestic issues as well as foreign affairs?
To the Point
Will Last Night's Debate Make a Difference? In Cleveland, Ohio Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton zeroed in on each other and the economy, with special focus on the North American Free Trade Agreement , but differences over healthcare got more time than anything else. Did Clinton do what she needed to stop Obama’s momentum? Does either one really want to re-negotiate NAFTA? One Houston paper says Obama has already won in Texas, with a week still to go. But a new, national poll says, that either one will have a tough time against John McCain in November, showing their Republican rival with an edge in experience and the war on terror, even on the economy. Although a majority said the war in Iraq was not worth waging, half said McCain was best equipped to deal with it.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
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
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.