Baghdad Correspondent for Newsweek
Baghdad Correspondent for Newsweek magazine
PROFILE
Larry Kaplow
Guest
FROM Larry Kaplow
To the Point
American Forces Drawn into Bitter Fighting in Iraq Yesterday, President Bush said Iraq was returning to " normalcy ," but today he conceded the situation is "dangerous and fragile." He called the Maliki government's efforts to confront criminal elements a " defining moment " in Iraq. The President's comments followed US air strikes in both the southern city of Basra and a Shiite militia stronghold in Baghdad, where the government has declared a curfew through Sunday. We get an update on the situation from a journalist, documentarian and aid worker in Iraq.
Which Way, L.A.?
Has Time Run Out on President Bush's Surge in Iraq? Although Congressional Democrats failed to prevent President Bush's military surge in Iraq last year, they won a concession. They funded the increased deployments, but demanded that the administration report on the success of its operations by September 15. With that day of reckoning almost here, the political battle lines have been drawn. Many Democrats, and a growing number of Republicans, are demanding a withdrawal. The military is stretched to the breaking point, but terrorism remains a threat and the President says the surge needs more time. When General David Petreaus makes his report next week, Bush will face one of his toughest decisions since he launched the war: does the US stay or go? Can Bush continue to fight and still bring some troops home? Guest host Jim Sterngold explores the chaos of Iraq that's taking center stage in the chaotic political arena in Washington. This is a re-broadcast of today's To the Point. For the full version that aired on TTP, please click here .
To the Point
The Looming Political Battle over Iraq Although Congressional Democrats failed to prevent President Bush's military surge in Iraq last year, they won a concession. They funded the increased deployments, but demanded that the administration report on the success of its operations by September 15. With that day of reckoning almost here, the political battle lines have been drawn. Many Democrats, and a growing number of Republicans, are demanding a withdrawal. The military is stretched to the breaking point, but terrorism remains a threat and the President says the surge needs more time. When General David Petreaus makes his report next week, Bush will face one of his toughest decisions since he launched the war: does the US stay or go? Can Bush continue to fight and still bring some troops home? Guest host Jim Sterngold explores the chaos of Iraq that's taking center stage in the chaotic political arena in Washington.
To the Point
The US and Iran Finally Talk about Iraq After nearly three decades of formal silence, representatives from the US and Iran met in Baghdad yesterday and agreed on the need for a stable Iraq. There were many issues that were not on the table, including Iran's continued defiance of the international community with its nuclear program. There is also the question of US-Iranian citizens who have been detained during visits to their home country and were today charged with espionage . Guest host Sara Terry explores Iran's agenda in the Middle East and US response to it.
Recommended
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
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.
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
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.