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McClatchy News Service
Egyptian-American journalist and chief Pentagon correspondent and former Baghdad Bureau for McClatchy News Service
PROFILE
Nancy Youssef
Guest
FROM Nancy Youssef
To the Point
Obama Condemns Egypt Violence as Death Toll Climbs The United States has cancelled a bi-annual joint military exercise with Egypt in light of yesterday's deadly crackdown by Egypt's interim government on protesters and the new State of Emergency. More than 500 people were killed and 3000 injured. But the US has still not threatened to freeze $1.3 billion in American aid. In recent weeks, the US has been demonized by both Egypt's interim government and supporters of ousted President Morsi. Today, taking time off from his vacation on Martha's Vineyard, President Obama denounced yesterday's violent attack , saying, "We don't take sides with any particular party or political figure." We hear from the President and from the streets of Cairo. Is violence becoming a fact of daily life?
To the Point
Egypt Descends into a Deeper Political Crisis After the worst street violence in 60 years, Egypt's newly elected President is surrounded by tanks, troops and barbed wire. Key allies have resigned, but Mohammed Morsi says outsiders are organizing the opposition--a favorite claim of the ousted Hosni Mubarak. President Obama has talked with Morsi by phone, but is the US less concerned about Egypt’s internal troubles than their impact on Israel? We update the growing protest, the role of the Army and the prospects for a peaceful resolution. President Mohammed Morsi's first televised address to the nation of Egypt has increased protest that’s already shown the capacity to generate violence. Opponents accuse him of adopting the same tactics as his deposed predecessor, Hosni Mubarak. Is the first elected president turning the country into an Islamic dictatorship? How legitimate is the secular opposition?
To the Point
US Pulls Back on the Use of Air Strikes in Afghanistan The US has used airstrikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan, but the cost may be higher than any benefit received in combat. General Stanley McChrystal said last week that "air power contains the seeds of our own destruction if we do not use it responsibly," adding, "we can lose this fight." So he's placed new restrictions on the kind of airstrikes that have killed many civilians. Nancy Youssef, chief Pentagon correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers , has been reporting from Iraq and Afghanistan.
To the Point
Commander in Afghanistan Calls for More Troops Quickly The head of NATO forces in Afghanistan told reporters today at the Pentagon he needs more troops and other assistance " as quickly as possibl e." Violence is up by 30 percent compared to last year, and General David McKiernan says things could get worse before they get better. Nancy Youssef was Baghdad Bureau Chief for the McClatchy newspapers. She's now Chief Pentagon Correspondent.
To the Point
Marking Progress, Bush Shortens Troop Tours in Iraq Announcing that increased stability in Iraq will likely allow the withdrawal of more American forces, President Bush today reduced the length of assignments there for Marines and soldiers—immediately. Nancy Youssef, former Baghdad Bureau Chief and now Chief Pentagon Correspondent for McClatchy News Service, was in Baghdad yesterday.
To the Point
More Kidnappings, Iraqis Leave the Country in Large Numbers Baghdad today experienced what may be the largest mass kidnapping since the US invasion as 150 people were abducted from four floors of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Women were separated and locked in a room. The men were taken away in SUV's. Meantime, the United Nations, which has been helping Iraqi refugees to return home in the wake of the US invasion, reports that nearly 100,000 people are now leaving the country every month . The UN is concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by so many refugees. Who are these refugees and where are they going? What does that mean for Iraq's long-term stability?
To the Point
US and Iraq Agree to Plan on Security Timeline Republican Senator Lindsay Graham said today that Iraq is on the "verge of chaos." Commanding General George Casey said Iraqi leaders have agreed to develop a timeline by the end of the year for progress in stabilizing the country. Nancy Yousef is Baghdad Bureau Chief for the McClatchy newspapers.
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To the Point
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 Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
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?