National Correspondent, Salon.com
National correspondent for Salon.com
PROFILE
Mark Benjamin
Guest
FROM Mark Benjamin
To the Point
Obama Meets Maliki in Iraq, Discusses Troop Withdrawal The New York Times reports that an audiotape shows Maliki said this to Der Spiegel , the German magazine: "Obama's remarks that, if he takes office, in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of forces in Iraq." When the Bush Administration asked for "clarification," Maliki's office said that's not what he really meant. Today, after his visit to Afghanistan, Obama traveled to Iraq, where he met today with the Prime Minister.
To the Point
How Long Will the US Stay in Iraq? American forces are in Iraq under a United Nations mandate that runs out at the end of this year. Barack Obama wants to withdraw American forces within 16 months after taking office. John McCain says that would be trading victory for defeat. Now US Senators of both parties claim the Bush Administration is negotiating agreements with Iraqi officials that could tie the next president's hands. While the Bush White House says it's all "technical" and non-binding, it's highly controversial in Iraq. Is the US trying to establish permanent bases without the consent of Congress? What would that mean for Iraqi sovereignty, Iran and US allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia? How would it influence the presidential campaign?
To the Point
The Shabby Treatment of Wounded Soldiers President Bush is appointing a commission to investigate the quality of care at Veterans' Administration hospitals. It will be chaired by former Republican Senator Bob Dole and Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton Administration. The shabby treatment of combat veterans at Walter Reed Hospital has been called the "tip of the iceberg" by several Congressmen. Yesterday, both military and civilian officials told a Congressional committee they were surprised at recent reports of shoddy treatment of outpatients at the Army's flagship hospital. Did military and civilian officials ignore early reports? What about other Veterans' Administration facilities? We speak with journalists, doctors and public-policy experts.
To the Point
Secretary Rice Plays Supporting Role in Iraq Study Group President Bush says he'll consider any suggestions made by the Iraq Study Group , led by James Baker , Secretary of State for the current president's father. There have been reports that Baker was sent in to clean up the mess in Iraq, but the White House firmly denies that. Now, the online magazine Salon.com says the impetus for the Iraq Study Group came from a surprising source, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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To the Point
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?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.