Professor of Government and International Affairs, University of South Florida
Professor and Chair of the Department of Government and International Affairs at the University of South Florida; author of The Making of Iran's Islamic Revolution: From Monarchy to Islamic Republic
Iranian President Ahmadinejad Begins Second Term Mahmoud Ahmadinejad starts his second four-year term as President of Iran. In today's inaugural address, Ahmadinejad called for "a national will" and "national resolve." He told his audience, "We need to join forces." As if to dramatize the moment, major reformers, including a faction of parliament, boycotted the ceremony. Outside on the streets of Tehran, opposition protesters were vastly outnumbered by riot police.
Iran's Supreme Leader Just Says 'No' The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a huge crowd that President Ahmadinejad was re-elected by a landslide. He denied that last Fridays voting was rigged. He told protesters to stay off the streets and warned that future violence would be blamed on their leaders. The opposition has scheduled a rally tomorrow. Will they back down? Will there be violent repression? Whats the impact on Middle East neighbors? And whats the status of President Obamas hope for engagement with the Islamic Republic? We look at these and other issues today.
Fifth Day of Election Protests in Iran Iran's government has expanded restrictions on foreign reporters and accused the US of interfering in its domestic affairs. But the word is out that protesters against presidential election results defied the government for another day. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been directly challenged by opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi , who has told supporters to continue demonstrations despite orders to pursue his demands through the electoral system. We hear about the ongoing protests in Iran and response from the US.
Taking It to the Streets: Election Rallies in Iran For the past three weeks Iranians have been out on the streets in the tens of thousands, with a fervor many say hasn't been seen since the toppling of the Shah thirty years ago. Tomorrow, voters in Iran head to the polls in what has become an almost free-for-all presidential election between incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi . Text messages, Facebook and television debates are all part of the fray. What are the issues driving voters? What role will women play in the vote's outcome? Will this new spirit of debate and openness continue? Would a new president take a different tack in dealing with the West?
Taking It to the Streets: Election Rallies in Iran For the past three weeks Iranians have been out on the streets in the tens of thousands, with a fervor many say hasn't been seen since the toppling of the Shah thirty years ago. Tomorrow, voters in Iran head to the polls in what has become an almost free-for-all presidential election between incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi . Text messages, Facebook and television debates are all part of the fray. What are the issues driving voters? What role will women play in the vote's outcome? Will this new spirit of debate and openness continue? Would a new president take a different tack in dealing with the West?
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
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.
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.