George Washington University
P.J. Crowley is a professor of practice at George Washington University and a distinguished fellow at its Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication. He is the author of Red Line: American Foreign Policy in a Time of Fractured Politics and Failing States. From 2009-2011, Crowley served as assistant secretary of state for public affairs.
New life for an American institution: Leaking… Every administration is subject to leaks of information, but the Era of Donald Trump is setting some kind of record. The President portrays himself as a victim, telling reporters, "The entire thing has been a witch hunt and there is no collusion between certainly myself and my campaign, I can always talk for myself – and the Russians, zero. I think it divides the country." But this week began with news that he was the leaker of intelligence secrets to Russia. Since then, reports about Israel, Turkey, James Comey and Michael Flynn have been attributed to "anonymous sources." Who are they? What do they want? Leaks can be self-serving, even against the law or a threat to national security. Are they, sometimes, necessary reinforcement of the people’s right to know?
The attack on Syria: Risky, illegal... or about time? At dinner last night at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump told China's Xi Jinping that he'd ordered a Tomahawk missile strike against Syria. A bit later, Mr. Trump made a public statement , explaining that he'd retaliated against Bashar al-Assad for Monday's chemical attack that killed at least 80 fellow Syrians, including women and children. Last night's surprise missile attack on a Syrian airbase was President Trump's reaction to the reported use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad. Is it a limited message about a new Red Line, or an overnight policy change that reverses Trump's long time promise of "America First?" Both parties in Congress are mostly supportive, while demanding clarification — and a role in future decisions. Russia says it's a "significant blow" to relations. Despite past isolationist rhetoric, the President himself says his views have changed toward his presidency and his role in the world.
Brussels on Lockdown All of Europe is on high alert in the aftermath of this morning‘s deadly explosions in Brussels — two at the airport and one at a train station downtown. Belgium’s prime minister says it was feared this might happen as retaliation for last week’s high-profile arrest of a prime suspect in November’s attacks in Paris. ISIS is claiming responsibility, and there’s more doubt than ever about the effectiveness of counter-terrorism. We hear details and update the mood in Brussels, headquarters of the European Union.
After Crimea, What's Putin's Next Move? The US and the European Union have imposed economic sanctions against individual Russian and Ukrainian leaders after yesterday's referendum in Crimea. As if to demonstrate calm and confidence, Vladimir Putin stayed in Sochi for last night's closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games , where Russian athletes won 80 medals with Ukrainians next with just 25. Elsewhere in Crimea, there was widespread jubilation over yesterday's vote on leaving Ukraine to re-join Russia. But the world is waiting for his next move. Annexing Crimea would be no easy task. Has he gone too far to turn back? Will the West up the ante at great cost to Europe's economy? We look at the options available to both sides and the potential consequences.
Russia Makes Threatening Moves in Crimea Russian state media have issued threatening warnings today, which have subsequently been contested by the country's diplomatic officials. But Vladimir Putin has had nothing public to say, and officials of the new government in Ukraine are warning about the prospect of an invasion. If Russia does intend to forcefully take control of Crimea, it would violate international laws on territorial integrity. Already, the western powers have threatened various ways to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically. Does Vladimir Putin care?
Secrecy, Diplomacy and Edward Snowden Edward Snowden says he went to work for a defense contractor so he could inform the American public about the government's secret surveillance of telephone and Internet conversations. Having fled from Hong Kong, he's still thought to be in the Moscow airport. Over the weekend, London's Guardian newspaper and Der Spiegel in Germany published new revelations that the US has spied on allies as well as enemies. Angry leaders in Europe say that could scuttle a trade deal between the US and the European Union — the biggest ever negotiated. Does the US keep more secrets than it needs to for national security? Should whistle-blowers be prosecuted or protected?
Israel-Hamas Cease Fire Announced Twenty-four hours after yesterday's cease-fire failed to go into effect, Israel and Hamas leaders in Gaza have agreed to stop shooting. After shuttling between Cairo and Jerusalem, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave credit to the newly elected Islamic President of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi " for his personal leadership to de-escalate the situation ." PJ Crowley was State Department spokesman during the early years of the Obama Administration. He's now a research professor at George Washington University.
Anti-American Violence, Policy Challenges in the Presidential Race Tuesday, US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed by an armed mob in Libya. Today, protests continue at US outposts elsewhere in the Muslim world. The US embassy in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, is described as an armed fortress inside several zones of protection. But protesters penetrated the boundaries today and attacked the building itself. We talk with reporters, diplomats, pollsters and others about anti-Americanism, its roots and its consequences.
Protecting Diplomats in the Face of Protests The US embassy in Sana' s, the capital of Yemen, is described as an armed fortress inside a protected zone. George Washington University professor P.J. Crowley is a former Assistant Secretary of State in the Obama Administration.
A Cascade of Secret Intelligence Leaks Reporters for Newsweek, the Daily Beast and the New York Times have recently revealed that President Obama chooses the "kill lists" for unmanned drones and that the US conspired with Israel to disable Iran's nuclear program with the Stuxnet computer virus. Has the Obama White House leaked too much classified information to enhance his re-election campaign? Are leaks threatening national security? Does the public have a right to know?
Leaks, National Security and Presidential Politics The Obama White House is accused of leaking classified information to make the President look good and of punishing whistleblowers who make him look bad. Earlier this month, California Senator Dianne Feinstein expressed concern about threats to national security to CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Republican Senator John McCain wants a special prosecutor appointed to investigate White House leaks, but the President says that's not where the information is coming from. Others insist that the people have a right to know what the government's doing. Now the world knows the US is targeting specific people with drone strikes and that it attacked Iran's nuclear program with a computer virus. What new dangers have been created? Is it all about the President's re-election campaign? Is there anything new about leaking?
World Watches as North Korea Prepares to Launch Rocket North Korea is reportedly injecting liquid fuel into that rocket it plans on sending into space. The US has joined leaders worldwide who see the move as a provocation and have called for the country to back down. Pyongyang says the launch is part of festivities marking the 100th anniversary of that nation's founder, Kim Il-sung. P.J. Crowley, a former spokesman for the US State Department, is a research professor at George Washington University.
Alleged Iranian Assassination Plot Is Drawing Skepticism In a Detroit federal court today, the so-called "underwear bomber" pleaded guilty to trying to blow up a plane to avenge what he called "the US wreckage of Muslim lands and property." The evidence against Umar Farouk Abdul-mutallab was overwhelming. But there is some skepticism about yesterday's US claim that Iran plotted to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the US on American soil, working through a Mexican drug cartel. P.J. Crowley, a former spokesman for the US State Department, is now a research professor at George Washington University.
President Karzai Comes to Washington A rebroadcast of Today's To The Point At the White House today, President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged cooperation and friendship based on long term mutual interests. Responding to a reporter’s question, Obama said what he called “perceived tensions” during the past few weeks were “overstated…”
President Karzai Comes to Washington After a campaign of tough love that appeared to go nowhere, President Obama has turned on the charm for Afghan President Hamid Karzai. At the White House today, he said reported tensions were “overstated.” Karzai thanked him for American resources and sacrifice on behalf of his country. But both presidents acknowledged a rough road ahead—well beyond July of next year, when Obama plans to begin a drawdown of US forces. Karzai said disagreements are normal after 10 years of warfare against the Taliban. An Afghan reporter asked him about planned peace talks with the Taliban. Will they include upper-level leaders who have refused to meet US demands that they lay down their arms, recognize the country’s constitution and respect human rights. Has Karzai’s visit produced a plan for what happens next?
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.
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.
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.
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.