Johns Hopkins University
Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and adjunct professor at the DC-based Institute of World Politics; and author of The Future of the United Nations: Understanding the Past to Chart a Way Forward; former resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
Wars, Natural Disasters and a Refugee Generation The latest Global Trends report by the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees contains shocking figures. The number of forcibly displaced people around the world has doubled in the past 10 years — to 60 million -- more than ever recorded before. Half of them are children. The world's poorest countries are bearing most of the burden, as the UN and other organizations run short of resources for humanitarian aid. The UN is also taking some of the blame for failing to mediate conflicts and reduce violence. Many member nations like things the way they are. Are countries in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia losing a generation of children?
The Growing Standoff between the US and Iran over Iraq President Bush told NPR yesterday he has no intention of attacking Iran. Yet while the United States is not engaged in armed conflict with Iran, sources confirm that we are at "war by other means," and that America's allies in the Middle East are very supportive. Meantime, responding to the Bush Administration's promise of evidence of Iran's meddling in Iraq, by arming and training insurgents to destabilize the new government, Iranian and Iraqi officials say they have business together. While nobody knows for sure whether the US is gearing up for war with Iran, it's certain that there's new concern beyond the issue of developing the capacity to make nuclear weapons. We hear more about rumored US plans for military action against Iran from journalists and Middle East experts, including a former advisor to the Iraq Study Group. (An extended version of this discussion was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
Is It 'War by Other Means' against Iran? President Bush said flatly yesterday there's no intention to "invade" Iran , but there's no doubt that the US is becoming more confrontational. Nuclear development isn't the only issue. There are Iran's alleged activities in Iraq and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah. Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia reportedly are increasingly alarmed, and even Israel now calls those countries "helpful." What's the state of relations between Iran and Iraq? After their long and bloody war, are Shiite rulers bringing them closer together? Will the proxy war between the US and Iran turn into the real thing? We get perspective from journalists and experts on the Middle East, including a former advisor to the Iraq Study Group.
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.
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.