- Social:
expert on information warfare
Molly McKew is an expert on information warfare. She also advises governments and political parties on foreign policy and strategic communications.
PROFILE
Molly McKew
Guest
FROM Molly McKew
To the Point
White House politics and national security President Trump's on a 17-day "working vacation" at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Back at the White House, Chief of Staff John Kelly, the former General, reportedly is seizing the moment to impose order on factional infighting. He's reportedly said he can't control the President, but what about Steve Bannon, the Kushners and National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster? All have tribal loyalists. Is "order" possible under shadows including declining support from Congress, North Korea's nuclear challenge — and the Russia investigation?
To the Point
The summit within the summit After warm greetings in public, Presidents Trump and Putin were behind closed doors for more than two hours today in Hamburg, Germany. For the moment, their meeting has overshadowed the larger G-20 summit, as protesters stormed local police in the streets of the city. Mr. Trump’s aides said he had “no agenda,” but Secretary of State Tillerson says he began with Russia’s meddling in America’s election. Putin denied it. With US-Russian relations at their lowest point in decades, is there any chance of a rapprochement? Is that in America’s interests?
To the Point
Is Washington missing the forest for the trees? As Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others testify about what they knew and who they talked to, is the basic issue being lost in the political drama? It's reported that Russian hackers gained access to the voting systems of 39 American states during last year's elections. There's no evidence they affected the outcome. But, as the fired FBI Director James Comey warned last week, "They'll be back." What's in store for America's democracy in the future? How does this compare to the long history of US involvement in other countries' elections?
Recommended
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?