Columbia University
Professor of Political Science at Columbia University and a member of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies
PROFILE
Page Fortna
Guest
FROM Page Fortna
To the Point
Is US-Russian Diplomacy Prolonging Syria's Civil War? When the US was threatening force against Syria, fighting by both the government and the rebels dropped off. Now it's increasing again. And there's no guarantee that Bashar al-Assad will get rid of his chemical weapons according to the ambitious timetable set by the US and Russia. What if he doesn't? Will the US attack then, despite Russia's opposition? If Assad does meet the deadlines, will that mean peace for the Syrian people? We look at these and other questions about a short-term lull in what's really a long-term crisis.
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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
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
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.