American University in Cairo
Associate Professor and former Chair of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at American University in Cairo
PROFILE
Rasha Abdulla
Guest
FROM Rasha Abdulla
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?
Which Way, L.A.?
Is the Arab Spring Falling Back? This week The United States and the world watch with caution as unrest and deadly riots pop up throughout the Arab World. We speak, perhaps overly broadly, about the Arab street. Last week the specific streets in questions have been those leading up to US embassies in Benghazi, Cairo, Islamabad and Tunis. German and British embassies have been targeted as well. The cause is said to be a farcically inept but highly charged film portraying the Prophet Mohamed as an evil dunce. Is this the Youtube clip that launched a thousand protests, or is the tumult an indication of a wider frustration toward the West and the new governments in place in several Arab Countries? Who's behind the riots? How should the US government respond?
To the Point
Is the Arab Spring Falling Back? This week The United States and the world watch with caution as unrest and deadly riots pop up throughout the Arab World. We speak, perhaps overly broadly, about the Arab street. Last week the specific streets in questions have been those leading up to US embassies in Benghazi, Cairo, Islamabad and Tunis. German and British embassies have been targeted as well. The cause is said to be a farcically inept but highly charged film portraying the Prophet Mohamed as an evil dunce. Is this the Youtube clip that launched a thousand protests, or is the tumult an indication of a wider frustration toward the West and the new governments in place in several Arab Countries? Who's behind the riots? How should the US government respond?
Which Way, L.A.?
Violent Clashes between Police, Protesters in Tahrir Square More than 1,500 people have been wounded and 23 killed as protesters take to the streets of Egypt once again. That country's military rulers are facing the most sustained challenge to their hold on power since demonstrators forced former president Hosni Mubarak from power last February. In cities across Egypt, protesters are calling for an accelerated end to the military ruling council that has governed since the fall of Mubarak. But today, the entire cabinet of the interim civilian government submitted its resignation to the council.
To the Point
Violent Clashes between Police, Protesters in Tahrir Square More than 1,500 people have been wounded and 23 killed as protesters take to the streets of Egypt once again. That country's military rulers are facing the most sustained challenge to their hold on power since demonstrators forced former president Hosni Mubarak from power last February. In cities across Egypt, protesters are calling for an accelerated end to the military ruling council that has governed since the fall of Mubarak. But today, the entire cabinet of the interim civilian government submitted its resignation to the council.
To the Point
Update from Cairo A televised statement from Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman produced an eruption of joy and excitement in the biggest crowd so far on Tahrir Square. We get an update from Tahir Square where demonstrators are jubliant over the news that President Hosni Mubarak has turned over power to Egypt's military.
To the Point
Mubarak Expected to Step Aside Tahrir Square is packed tonight and there’s wild celebration in the aftermath of Mubarak’s resignation. Throughout the evening, Egyptians have been massing in Tahrir Square—anticipating that 30 years of repressive government may be about to come to an end. It’s still not clear [if he does step down] that protesters around the country—now joined by striking workers—will have won all that they’ve been demanding. Will the emergency law that suspends civil rights be revoked? Will the military continue to run the country or will there be a transition to civilian rule? We’ll talk about what appears to be history in the making in the world’s most influential Arab country.
Which Way, L.A.?
Egypt, the Internet and Political Change The government of Egypt has promised reforms, but protesters are still saying that Mubarak has to go. Today's crowd in Cairo was one of the biggest so far. We speak with a reporter on the ground in Cairo as well as observers in the US and in Egypt.
To the Point
Egypt, the Internet and Political Change Another enormous crowd turned out in Tahrir Square today, celebrating Google executive Wael Ghonim, who says he created a crucial Facebook page last June. It was dedicated to a victim of police brutality, and encouraged Internet users to share their anger. Now it's credited with starting the protests we see today. But is the Internet necessarily an instrument of democracy? Can it also be used by authoritarian regimes to enforce the status quo? We hear more about its role in Egypt, and how it's used in Iran and China. How is it regulated in the US? Should the government have a "kill switch," just in case?
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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
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
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.