Local Coordination Committees of Syria
Spokesman for the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, which is tracking the uprising
PROFILE
Mohammed Abdullah
Guest
FROM Mohammed Abdullah
Which Way, L.A.?
The Arab Spring and the Wars of Ramadan The so-called "Arab Spring" began with peaceful protests that led to hopes of non-violent revolution in Tunisia and Egypt. In Syria and Libya, dissent has led to bloody repression and civil war. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak is being subjected to public trial, accused of ordering the killings of peaceful dissenters in January, before their movement forced him from office. What will it take to satisfy the demand for real change after 30 years of corruption and brutal repression? We update the process of accomplishing change in the Arab Middle East.
To the Point
The Arab Spring in a Hot Arab Summer During a month dedicated to religious commitment, the government of Syria is killing its own people and Libya's in the midst of outright civil war. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak is being subjected to public trial, accused of ordering the killings of peaceful dissenters in January, before their movement forced him from office. Continued repression by his military successors has peaceful dissenters talking about different tactics. Real change may be under way in the Arab World after decades of brutal repression, but what will it take to satisfy the demand for real change after 30 years of corruption and brutal repression? Will the model be the "velvet revolutions" of Eastern Europe or the historic violence required in France, the US and, more recently, in Iran?
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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
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?
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Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
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?