American Universitiy of Paris
Philip Golub is Department Co-chair and Professor of Political Science at the American University of Paris. An American-born 18-year resident of France, he is the author of Power, Profit and Prestige: A History of American Imperial Expansion. He is a former contributing editor to Le Monde diplomatique.
France's right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen visits Trump Tower The US isn't the only country beset by Russia's political hacking. The French Ministry of Defense says there were some 24,000 such incidents last year — with presidential elections coming up later this year. Today, the right-wing populist and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen paid a visit to Trump Tower. Philip Golub, Professor of International Relations and Politics at American University of Paris and a former contributing editor of Le Monde diplomatique, says today's visit raises questions about international politics.
Je Suis Charlie Hebdo: I Am Charlie Hebdo As the manhunt for suspected killers continues, France is assessing the consequences of yesterday’s slaughter of satirical writers and cartoonists. The magazine Charlie Hebdo was already under police protection, but the sudden attack has shocked France and the rest of the Western world. Politicians and church leaders have called for national unity, but French Muslims are reporting attacks on mosques in several parts of the country.
Edward Snowden’s Revelations Keep On Coming New disclosures from National Security Agency files show contact lists from Americans’ e-mail and instant-message accounts are being scooped up. More and more countries are outraged by news that their top officials were spied on. We now know the NSA helped the CIA find targets from drones. Last week Edward Snowden said he wants to help the US and protect its citizens, and a group of whistle-blowers went to Russia to give him an award. We’ll update the latest uncovered secrets and hear different views of Snowden, the fugitive leaker who’s trying to craft his own public image.
Afghanistan, Eurozone Questions Linger Despite NATO, G8 Resolve After thousands of protesters clashed with police this weekend, many Chicago businesses encouraged workers to stay home today. Meantime, at the Convention Center, NATO leaders agreed to pull troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with President Obama insisting that "stabilizing" that country is still a "vital" priority. The NATO meeting came hard on the heels of the G8 summit Friday and Saturday at Camp David, which supported the President's call for "growth" as opposed to "austerity" in the Eurozone. Agreements produced by these back-to-back summits could have long-term consequences for Afghanistan and the European economy. We hear what they mean for the US and other Western powers.
Afghanistan, Eurozone Questions Linger Despite NATO, G8 Resolve President Obama hosted back-to-back summits from Friday at Camp David until today in Chicago. The G8 agreed that Greece should stay in the Eurozone, but the battle over "growth versus austerity" is far from over. NATO leaders agreed to pull troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with President Obama insisting that "stabilizing" that country remains a "vital" priority. Will NATO provide the funding required for local police and a national army? Are such meetings all that useful? Did the President get what he wanted? Will the US have to live with continued uncertainty in a rapidly changing world?
Fallout in France: Will the Left Return to Power? President Nicolas Sarkozy came in second in the first round of voting in France's presidential elections yesterday behind François Hollande , the Socialist Party candidate. If he loses in the second round of voting on May 6, as many predict, Sarkozy would be France's first one-term president in 31 years. Analysts see the vote as a rebuke to the center-right president's austerity policies as well as his governing style. What can Sarkozy can do in the weeks ahead to win back voters, especially the far right? What changes would a Socialist government bring? If Hollande wins, how will he deal with the Euro crisis? How will French-US relations change?
French and US Justice Systems Grapple with Strauss-Kahn Last week in New York, former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released without bail and it appeared that sexual assault charges might be dropped. Today in Paris, Tristane Banon, a reporter for the news magazine L'Express, filed suit against DSK , as he is now called, accusing him of attempted rape during an interview in 2003. In the meantime public intellectuals in both countries are arguing about the administration of justice. Philip Golub is a contributing editor of Le Monde diplomatique, a French journal based in Paris.
What's the End Game for the Attack on Libya? The massive attack on Libya began after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Friday authorizing "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians, short of putting western boots on the ground. American support came suddenly after weeks of apparent indecision.
What's the End Game for the Attack on Libya? After weeks of backing away from military action, the Obama Administration suddenly signed on to the United Nations effort in Libya. The massive attack on Libya began after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Friday authorizing "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians, short of putting western boots on the ground. Today, the US Commanding General, Carter Ham, says that's still the mission, and that the coalition is not supporting forces opposed to Moammar Gadhafi. But what is the ultimate goal? Is it to topple Gadhafi? Can the rebels do that alone? What if he's able to hold on to power? What's the role of the Arab League, Britain and France? Is the Administration itself divided?
Sarkozy in Libya Following Release of Medics Yesterday, Libya released six medical workers held for eight years on charges of infecting children with AIDS; the five Bulgarians nurses and a Palestinian doctor were extradited to Bulgaria. In return, the European Union agreed to a package of financial and medical aid for Libya as well as improved diplomatic relations. Bulgaria's President insists it was not a ransom payment for blackmail. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was instrumental in negotiating the release , today traveled to Tripoli to cement the deal with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Philip Golub is a contributing editor to Le Monde diplomatique .
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
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.
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.