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New York Times
National security reporter, and former foreign correspondent, for the New York Times; former South Asian correspondent for the Wall Street Journal
PROFILE
Matthew Rosenberg
Guest
FROM Matthew Rosenberg
To the Point
How Long Can the Islamic State Stay in Business? The richest terrorist group in history is financed not just by smuggling oil and selling looted antiquities. It may get as much as a billion dollars a year from taxation on individuals and businesses subject to a system of brutal enforcement. While increased bombing may deplete oil revenues, beatings and even beheadings are taking a toll on formerly middle class people. We hear about a model of governance that could threaten the sustainability of the Islamic State from the inside.
To the Point
Obama Reverses Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan President Obama announced today he will not fulfill one of the central promises of his years in the White House. Instead of withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year, the current force of 9,800 troops will be down-sized to about 5,500. "We've made an enormous investment in a stable Afghanistan. Afghans are making difficult but genuine progress. This modest but meaningful extension of our presence, while sticking to our current narrow missions, can make a real difference." Matthew Rosenberg, national security reporter for the New York Times , says that the President believes it's "the right thing to do."
To the Point
How Covert CIA Cash Flowed to al Qaeda In the past 10 years, the US has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan — some in the form of bags full of American money. Sometimes, that cash has been used — inadvertently -- to finance the very militants the US has been fighting. In 2010, CIA drone strikes were decimating al Qaeda's high-level structure in Pakistan. At the same time, Osama bin Laden received $5 million to replenish his coffers — including one million from a surprising source, the CIA. That's according to documents and interviews reported by Matthew Rosenberg of the New York Times . Photo: World Economic Forum
To the Point
Afghanistan Expels NYT Correspondent Matt Rosenberg Matthew Rosenberg, expelled yesterday from Afghanistan as a “spy” accused of trying to “create panic and disruption.” His article began: “A coterie of powerful Afghan government ministers and officials with strong ties to the security forces are threatening to seize power if an election impasse that has paralyzed the country is not resolved soon.” President Karzai’s office calls the work “meant to create panic and disruption in peoples’ minds, and provide the basis for other spying purposes.” Matt Rosenberg joined us from Dubai.
To the Point
U.S. General Killed in Afghanistan An American major general was killed today in Afghanistan. He’s the highest-ranking American officer to die in hostilities since the Vietnam War. A German general was wounded, along with other soldiers, by a man described by Afghan authorities as “wearing the Afghan National Army uniform.” Matthew Rosenberg is reporting from Kabul for the New York Times.
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?
Which Way, L.A.?
Developing Threats to US and NATO Plans in Afghanistan In Washington yesterday, President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron promised to stay the course in Afghanistan. Today, Afghan President Karzai told US Defense Secretary Panetta he wants NATO to end its combat mission next year instead of 2014. He also said that troops now deployed in the countryside should be garrisoned only in large bases.
To the Point
Developing Threats to US and NATO Plans in Afghanistan There were two major setbacks today for US efforts to wage war and negotiate peace in Afghanistan. President Karzai said NATO troops should leave the countryside and return to large bases, ending their combat mission next year instead of 2014, and the Taliban suspended conversations with the United States. The troop movement will put security for civilian developers in the hands of Afghan forces, with private aid companies already in fear for their safety . Many are already so worried they have plans to pull out, with the prospect of suing the US Agency for International Development for material breach of contract. We hear about growing threats to the scenario outlined by President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron this week in Washington.
To the Point
Clinton Warns Pakistan that Relations Are at a 'Turning Point' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the highest-ranking US official to visit Pakistan since the killing of Osama bin Laden. She warned Pakistani leaders today that, "relations have reached a turning point." Matthew Rosenberg, South Asia correspondent for the Wall Street Journal , joins us from Islamabad.
Which Way, L.A.?
In Afghanistan, Is the Endgame Beginning? In what has been the deadliest part of Afghanistan for American forces there are " signs of change ," as another season of fighting gets under way. That's according to Rajiv Chandrasekaran, senior correspondent and associate editor of the Washington Post, just back from the region. Meanwhile, two-thirds of Americans tell pollsters this country's longest war is no longer worth fighting, at the cost of many casualties and billions of dollars. We look at the shaky start of the so-called "endgame" in Afghanistan.
To the Point
In Afghanistan, Is the Endgame Beginning? The draw-down of troops is scheduled to start in July, with a final pullout set for 2014, but another summer of deadly fighting is already under way. In Southern Afghanistan, progress against the Taliban is described as "profound," but has come at the cost of moving troops out of the Northeast. There, the Taliban is resurgent and al Qaeda seems to be too. The Obama Administration wants peace talks, but the other side may not be at the table. We update combat and diplomacy between the US, the Taliban, Afghanistan and neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
Which Way, L.A.?
US Strategy in South Asia: Is It Really Working? It's been reported that remote-controlled US drones have devastated the top leadership of the Taliban and al Qaeda in Pakistan. But yesterday, the US consulate in Peshawar was hit with guns, bombs and rocket-propelled grenades , the first such direct assault in that country since 2006.
To the Point
US Strategy in South Asia: Is It Really Working? In Pakistan, the attack on the US consulate in Peshawar with guns, bombs and rocket-propelled grenades — the first such direct assault in that country since 2006 -- is being called a "message” that the Taliban can still cause havoc whenever they want to, despite the devastation caused by American drones and Pakistani soldiers. In Afghanistan, President Karzai's attack on " foreign meddling ” has raised questions about the role of US troops and money. Will the much-touted " victory ” by the Marines in Marjah be sustainable? What about plans to attack the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar? We get conflicting assessments.
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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
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
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
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.