freelance journalist
Kabul-based freelance journalist who also writes for the Guardian, Foreign Policy and the Economist
PROFILE
Sune Engel Rasmussen
Guest
FROM Sune Engel Rasmussen
To the Point
Taliban Ramps Up Offensive with Kabul Bombing This morning an explosion and gunfight in Kabul killed dozens and wounded more than 300 others during the morning rush hour. The Afghan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a security unit for high level government officials. The attack comes one week after the militant group announced its spring offensive, a signal that the Taliban plans to follow through on their promise to carry out large scale attacks this fighting season. Barbara Bogaev speaks with freelance reporter Sune Engel Rasmussen, who is based in Kabul and writes for the Guardian and the Economist.
To the Point
Afghan Forces Fight to Retake City after Big Loss to Taliban American airpower is striking Taliban forces, which seized parts of the Northern Afghan city of Kunduz yesterday. It was the Taliban's biggest victory since it was ousted from power in 2001. Sune Engel Rasmussen is a freelance reporter in Kabul who writes for the Guardian and the Economist.
To the Point
Taliban Leader Is Dead… and Has Been for Years Mullah Omar founded and led the Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan until it was toppled by the United States after September 11, 2001. Now -- after years of rumors — officials in both Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan have confirmed that Mullah Omar died in a Pakistani hospital two years ago. Sune Engel Rasmussen joins us from Kabul, where he reports for the Guardian and other news outlets.
To the Point
Can Diplomatic Fanfare Translate to Long-Term Security in Afghanistan? Ashraf Ghani has completed his first visit to the United States as Afghanistan's President, cutting a very different figure from his predecessor, Hamid Karzai. But public diplomacy is one thing. Security in a corrupt home country is another. After President Obama agreed to extend the US presence in Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani addressed a joint meeting of Congress . He used words America never heard from his predecessor — despite all the dollars spent and the lives lost in his country.
Recommended
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.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
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
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.