Senior Scholar, Middle East Institute
Senior Scholar at the Middle East Institute; former intelligence analyst on Pakistan and Afghanistan for the State Department (1999-2003)
PROFILE
Marvin Weinbaum
Guest
FROM Marvin Weinbaum
Which Way, L.A.?
Is Pakistan Ripe for an Islamic Revolution? In Pakistan's Swat Valley on Sunday, the militant Islamist leader Sufi Mohammed bluntly defied the country's secular government and its system of laws. As to Pakistan's democratic institutions, he said, “supporting an infidel system is a great sin.” He laid out a plan to bring what he called “a complete Islamic system” for the entire country. His speech to a crowd of thousands was carried live on TV.
To the Point
Is Pakistan Ripe for an Islamic Revolution? In Pakistan's Swat Valley on Sunday, militant Islamist leader Sufi Mohammed bluntly defied the country's secular government and its system of laws. As to its democratic institutions, he said, "supporting an infidel system is a great sin," and he laid out a plan to bring "a complete Islamic system" to Pakistan. Such Taliban-style militants are assuming control in Pakistan's northwest provinces, openly promising to take over the rest of the country. Despite brutal enforcement of Islamic law, the secular government seems powerless against determined radicals exploiting poverty, class hatreds and decades of corruption. The US has vital interests in a region where both Pakistan and India have nuclear arms. We hear mounting concern about instability with international consequences.
To the Point
What's Next for Pakistan? Despite photographs of a gunman and doctors' reports of bullet wounds to the head and chest, the Pakistani government claims that Benazir Bhutto died when her head struck the sunroof of her vehicle. President Pervez Musharraf has asked help from Scotland Yard to investigate the assassination. After Bhutto's killing and Musharraf's fumbling response, Pakistan is "disintegrating." That's the opinion of a former high-level Pakistani official, who talks ominously about the "death of hope" in his country. We talk with him and others about the impact of the assassination and elections as a possible vehicle for national unity. Will Scotland Yard give Musharraf new credibility? Was he ever a trustworthy ally in America's "war on terror?"
Which Way, L.A.?
Pakistani Opposition Leader Bhutto Assassinated Heads of state around the world are reacting to today's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. President Bush delivered his comments from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Who will fill the vacuum her death leaves in Pakistani politics? Who will carry her banner in the January election? Will that election occur as scheduled? How did Pakistan become unsafe for democracy? Will President Musharraf be able to control the aftermath of the Bhutto assassination? This, and a friend's personal memories of Bhutto.
To the Point
Pakistani Opposition Leader Bhutto Assassinated Heads of state around the world are reacting to today's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. President Bush delivered his comments from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Who will fill the vacuum her death leaves in Pakistani politics? Who will carry her banner in the January election? Will that election occur as scheduled? How did Pakistan become unsafe for democracy? Will President Musharraf be able to control the aftermath of the Bhutto assassination? This, and a friend's personal memories of Bhutto.
Which Way, L.A.?
Islamabad, Kabul, Washington and International Politics At Camp David on Monday, Presidents Bush and Karzai were bullish on the upcoming meeting. Musharraf has been much in the news since U.S. intelligence reported that Al Qaeda is regrouping in his country, and the Democratic candidates for President have been trying to sound tough in case Musharraf fails to take action.
To the Point
Poppies, Jihadis Stand in the Way of Progress in Afghanistan At Camp David on Monday, with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai by his side, President Bush warmly endorsed a "jirga ," a traditional meeting to resolve disputes. Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf , had agreed to attend tomorrow's meeting in Kabul, but today declined, saying the press of business will keep him at home in Islamabad. Musharraf says he hopes lower-ranking officials can resolve issues between the two countries, but his withdrawal is seen as a snub to the United States. Bush and Karzai say al Qaeda in Pakistan is helping the Taliban stage a bloody resurgence, which is also fueled by a record crop of opium poppies. Will Karzai have to go it alone? Would legalizing poppy-production help ease the pressure. Can the "jirga" make a difference, without either Musharraf or the Taliban?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Taliban Rise Again in Afghanistan NATO has taken command of military operations in Afghanistan , at a time when the Taliban are stepping into the vacuum left when the US changed its focus to Saddam Hussein. It’s the biggest challenge in the history of the Alliance. In the meantime, gun battles, roadside explosives and suicide bombers are taking their toll as the Taliban stage a powerful comeback. We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan, as well as a warning that there are not enough boots on the ground to avoid a crisis that could be worse than the war in Iraq. (An extended version of this discussion was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
To the Point
NATO Takes Over in Afghanistan to Face a Resurgent Taliban The zealots who sheltered Osama bin Laden are stepping into a power vacuum left when the US shifted its focus to Saddam Hussein. Today, amid warnings that there are not enough boots on the ground to stop the insurgence and in its biggest challenge in history, NATO took command of military operations in Afghanistan , with 31,000 troops from 37 countries, 12,000 from the US. An additional 8,000 American soldiers will handle counter-terrorism and training under US command. In the meantime, gun battles, roadside explosives and suicide bombers are taking their toll as the Taliban stage a powerful comeback. We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan. Will the Taliban fight their way into the government? What's happened to the Bush Administration's prime example of a "failed state" transformed into a democracy?
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To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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
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
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.