Daily Times
Editor of the Daily Times in Lahore, Pakistan, the capital of the Punjab
PROFILE
Rashed Rahman
Guest
FROM Rashed Rahman
Which Way, L.A.?
Developing Threats to US and NATO Plans in Afghanistan In Washington yesterday, President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron promised to stay the course in Afghanistan. Today, Afghan President Karzai told US Defense Secretary Panetta he wants NATO to end its combat mission next year instead of 2014. He also said that troops now deployed in the countryside should be garrisoned only in large bases.
To the Point
Developing Threats to US and NATO Plans in Afghanistan There were two major setbacks today for US efforts to wage war and negotiate peace in Afghanistan. President Karzai said NATO troops should leave the countryside and return to large bases, ending their combat mission next year instead of 2014, and the Taliban suspended conversations with the United States. The troop movement will put security for civilian developers in the hands of Afghan forces, with private aid companies already in fear for their safety . Many are already so worried they have plans to pull out, with the prospect of suing the US Agency for International Development for material breach of contract. We hear about growing threats to the scenario outlined by President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron this week in Washington.
Which Way, L.A.?
Ten Years Later: the Death of Osama bin Laden At the White House today, President Obama bestowed Medals of Honor on two men who died in the Korean War. But he opened the ceremony with a comment about today's killing of Osama bin Laden by US Special Forces. After 9/11, and as time went on, Americans became increasingly skeptical that the al Qaeda leader would ever be captured. But the world's most hunted man was discovered in a fortified compound a few miles from Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad.
To the Point
Ten Years Later: The Death of Osama bin Laden At the White House today, President Obama bestowed Medals of Honor on two men who died in the Korean War. But he opened the ceremony with a comment about yesterday's killing of Osama bin Laden by US Special Forces. After 9/11, and as time went on, Americans became increasingly skeptical that the al Qaeda leader would ever be captured. But the world's most hunted man was discovered in a fortified compound a few miles from Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad. The Pentagon says DNA analysis made a 100% identification of bin Laden's remains, and reports that photographs provide compelling evidence. Meantime, his body was buried at sea according to Islamic tradition and practice. Did official Pakistan know that bin Laden was hiding in a highly fortified compound under its nose? How did the US manage to find and kill him with a small cost in what's called "collateral damage?" What's the reaction in the Muslim world? What's the reaction here in the US? We get answers from the White House, from Pakistan, Cairo and elsewhere.
To the Point
Governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Is Assassinated Pakistan is officially mourning the death of Salman Taseer , the Governor of the Punjab province, assassinated today by one of his own guards. The killing could affect efforts to keep Pakistan's coalition government from collapsing. Rasheed Rahman edits the Daily Times in Lahore, the capital of the Punjab.
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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.
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Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
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
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.