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Washington Post
Kabul Bureau Chief for the Washington Post
PROFILE
Kevin Sieff
Guest
FROM Kevin Sieff
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Prisoner Swap U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was freed over the weekend after being held for 5 years as a prisoner of war by the Taliban. In return, the U.S. released five high-level Taliban officials from Guantanamo. What do we know about the negotiations behind the swap? How was Sgt. Bergdahl captured by the Taliban in the first place?
To the Point
Leaving Afghanistan: For Better or Worse? The search for Osama bin Laden turned into America's longest war and a vastly expensive exercise in trying to build one of the world's poorest nations. But critics say much of the country has been left out, while US dollars have fueled corruption that's even now raising the cost of American withdrawal. Meantime, the Taliban reportedly are divided, as one faction talks peace while the other waits to wage more war when Afghan forces are on their own. After twelve years of US involvement, what does Afghanistan look like now? What's in store for the future?
To the Point
John Kerry in Afghanistan Earlier this month, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the Obama Administration was working behind his back with the Taliban. A joint news conference Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel never happened. Today, John Kerry, the Secretary of State, made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan. Kevin Sieff is Kabul Bureau Chief for the Washington Post .
Recommended
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
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
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?