American University
Director of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University and senior advisor on Conflict Resolution in the Middle East to the Carter Center
PROFILE
Robert Pastor
Guest
FROM Robert Pastor
Which Way, L.A.?
Egypt Goes to the Polls with the Arab World in Flux In Egypt, the biggest, most influential country in the Arab world, voters turned out en masse for today's elections, which will have a major impact region wide. With 40 parties and thousands of candidates for the lower house of Parliament, the election itself was already a complex undertaking. Recent protests against the military regime have made the process more uncertain than ever. Meanwhile, Syria accused the Arab League of economic warfare. We look at changes -- for better or worse -- wrought by the "Arab Spring."
To the Point
Progress Reports on the Arab Spring Egypt is the biggest, most influential country in the Arab world, and today's elections will have a major impact region wide. With 40 parties and thousands of candidates for the lower house of Parliament, the election itself was already a complex undertaking. Though turnout was massive for today's elections, protests continue and there's uncertainty about whether the vote will be "free and fair." A UN report accuses Syria of "crimes against humanity," and the Assad regime calls Arab League sanctions a declaration of "economic war." In Yemen, a protest leader has been appointed prime minister. Islamists have won in Morocco, and the government of Kuwait has resigned. We look at a region where decades of repression have given way to widespread instability.
Which Way, L.A.?
Help for Haiti?: The Work Has Just Begun In Haiti, humanitarian aid workers are finally getting systems in place to distribute aid. But many Haitians complain they still aren't getting the help they need a month after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the island. How is aid being distributed? How is the international community dealing with orphans, after the arrest of ten missionaries accused of trying to smuggle children out of the country? With such widespread devastation, what kind of rebuilding does Haiti most need to build a more secure future?
To the Point
Help for Haiti?: The Work Has Just Begun In Haiti, humanitarian aid workers are finally getting systems in place to distribute aid. But many Haitians complain they still aren't getting the help they need a month after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the island. How is aid being distributed? How is the international community dealing with orphans, after the arrest of ten missionaries accused of trying to smuggle children out of the country? With such widespread devastation, what kind of rebuilding does Haiti most need to build a more secure future?
To the Point
Are America's Elections Free and Fair? In America, the right to vote is supposedly sacred, but conflicting laws and shady practices cast doubt on the fairness and accuracy of many elections. Electronic voting machines are the latest cause for concern about technological snafus, ill-trained poll workers, and opportunities for partisan manipulation. Using computer software, Texas Republicans and California Democrats have drawn district boundaries that virtually guarantee who wins and who loses. After the vote-count debacle in Florida, which decided the year 2000 presidential election, Congress passed HAVA , the Help America Vote Act. What's happened to election reform?
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To the Point
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.
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
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
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.