George Washington University
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University and Director of its Institute for Middle East Studies; author of The Arab Uprising: The Unfinished Revolutions of the New Middle East and The New Arab Wars: Uprisings and Anarchy in the Middle East; former editor of Foreign Policy magazine's Middle East Channel
Syria pushes US-Russia relations to new low Another airstrike today killed at least 15 people on the rebel-held side of Aleppo, a besieged city that hasn’t seen humanitarian assistance since last July. Talks between the US and Russia have failed to produce a ceasefire, despite pleas from Pope Francis, as accusations of war crimes are circulating at the United Nations.
Does the "Arab Spring" Have a Future After All? It's been five years since popular uprisings toppled dictators in Egypt and other Arab countries. Except in Tunisia, Democracy has not taken hold. Egypt's new military regime may be worse than the old one; Libya is in chaos; millions of Syrians are fleeing civil war. In 2011, diverse groups were able to unify after years of repression, only to be divided again by their different interests and the need for order. But revolutions take time. We talk with authors of two new books saying it's premature to declare that the "Arab Spring" was a failure.
Does the "Arab Spring" Have a Future After All? It's been five years since popular uprisings toppled dictators in Egypt and other Arab countries. Except in Tunisia, Democracy has not taken hold. Egypt's new military regime may be worse than the old one; Libya is in chaos; millions of Syrians are fleeing civil war. In 2011, diverse groups were able to unify after years of repression, only to be divided again by their different interests and the need for order. But revolutions take time. We talk with authors of two new books saying it's premature to declare that the "Arab Spring" was a failure.
Whatever Happened to the "Arab Spring?" Three years ago, it appeared that anti-government uprisings might lead to the spread of democracy in the Middle East. Now it appears that the democratic process is being used to sustain the power of dictatorships. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is staging a re-election campaign after destroying major cities, killing more than 160,000 people and driving millions of refugees to other countries. But many of those refugees are voting to re-elect him. Is tyrannical order the only alternative to chaos and the spread of terror? Egypt's former general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew an elected government, outlawed political opposition and staged his presidential election. Is another military dictatorship preferable to the Muslim Brotherhood? With the collapse of the so-called "freedom agenda," we look at the options for US influence in the Middle East.
New Diplomatic Opportunities for Syria and Iran President Obama's threat to bomb Syria for its use of chemical weapons was, in part, a warning to Iran about its nuclear program. It also helped reassure Israel about US willingness to use force in the Middle East. Now, just two weeks later and with the UN about to open a new session tomorrow, it's all about diplomacy. We hear about possible benefits and potential risks involving Syria, Iran and the alliance with Israel — with President Obama's foreign policy legacy on the line.
Should the US Arm Syrian Rebels? After just three weeks as Secretary of State, John Kerry is trying to prevent Syria's "bloody stalemate" from disrupting the world's most volatile region. Russia, Hezbollah — and especially Iran — are aiding the Assad regime while America's refusal to arm opponents is seen as betrayal. Saudi Arabia is reportedly sending Croatian weapons to anti-government forces, who saved Kerry embarrassment by agreeing to show up at a meeting later this week. With 70,000 Syrians already dead and 850,000 turned into refugees, is there any hope of stopping the carnage any time soon?
The Middle East: From Democracy to Chaos Two years ago, Tunisia led the so-called "Arab Spring" by replacing a dictatorship with a democracy. Egypt was not far behind. But elected, Islamist governments have provoked secular opposition, and the streets of both countries are full of protesters once again. Tunisia was hailed as the model for peaceful transition, but an assassination has led to the first general strike in 35 years. In Egypt, murders during a soccer match have turned organized clubs into disruptive political rivals. We update events in both countries and learn how the social media that helped create peaceful revolutions are now threatening unity.
The Arab Spring Gets a New Look in Egypt After last year's revolution in Egypt, Generals from the ousted Mubarak regime disbanded the elected parliament and limited the powers of incoming President Mohammed Morsi. This weekend, Morsi struck back. He fired the top two generals and seized powers they had taken for themselves. The world is asking whether it's democracy in action, the establishment of a new and different dictatorship or a deal worked out behind closed doors. How is it related to the crisis in Sinai, where Islamic militants are making the border with Israel increasingly tense? What's the view of liberal reformers who don't want Hosni Mubarak replaced by the Muslim Brotherhood?
The Arab League, Iraq and Stopping Violence in Syria This week's Arab League Summit may not be a summit at all without a major figure from Saudi Arabia, and the League may not reach consensus on Syria, its most troubling issue. But it's a big moment for Baghdad, the first such meeting it's hosted since Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait more than 20 years ago. Is the League more important in the aftermath of the so-called "Arab Spring?" Can it reach a consensus on how to prevent more civilian bloodshed in Syria?
The Arab League Goes Back to Baghdad This week's Arab League Summit puts Iraq -- a country still torn by political and religious tensions and recent outbreaks of violence -- back in the news. It's a big moment for Baghdad, the first such meeting it's hosted since Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait more than 20 years ago. Prime Minister al-Maliki is hosting the meeting, distracting attention from human rights violations, talk of renewed civil war and even partition. But this week's summit may not be a summit at all without a major figure from Saudi Arabia, and the League may not reach consensus on Syria, its most troubling issue. What are their options? What about the influence of Russia and China, Kofi Annan's latest proposal , Iran and the United States?
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.
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
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.
