Correspondent, Time magazine
Correspondent, and former Jerusalem Bureau chief, for Time magazine
PROFILE
Tim McGirk
Guest
FROM Tim McGirk
Which Way, L.A.?
War and Diplomacy in Afghanistan and Pakistan The massive NATO and Afghan offensive appears to have driven the Taliban out of the city of Marjah, at least for the moment. Across the border, Pakistani and US intelligence, working together, have captured three leading Afghan insurgents all said to be close to the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar.
To the Point
In South Asia: War and Diplomacy The massive NATO and Afghan offensive appears to have driven the Taliban out of the city of Marjah, at least for the moment. Across the border, Pakistani and US intelligence, working together, have captured three leading Afghan insurgents all said to be close to the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar. Does that mean that the war in Afghanistan is going well, and that Pakistan has decided to cooperate with the US against the Afghan insurgents? There are no simple answers to those questions. In South Asia, apparent success can suddenly turn into a prelude to failure. Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Taliban all are divided within themselves. We look at many conflicting interests and what they could mean for the US.
To the Point
Israel's Ehud Olmert under Fire for Corruption Israel's defense minister Ehud Barak says Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should remove himself from office, pending the outcome of a high-profile corruption case. A former prime minister himself, Barack now leads the Labor Party, part of Olmert's governing coalition. Tim McGirk is Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Time magazine.
To the Point
President Bush Back in Israel President Bush arrived in Jerusalem today with congratulations on Israel's 60th anniversary and high hopes for peace with the Palestinians. Meantime, a rocket from Gaza struck the Israeli city of Ashkelon and all entry points to the territories were closed for the President's visit. Tim McGirk is Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Time magazine.
To the Point
Hamas Backtracks from Claiming Responsibility in Student Deaths The streets of Jerusalem were filled with thousands of mourners today today for eight students at a Jewish seminary killed yesterday by a gunman suspected of coming from East Jerusalem. Tim McGirk is Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Time magazine.
To the Point
War or Peace in the Middle East? Condoleezza Rice is back in the Middle East , where continuing rocket fire has Israel threatening more attacks on Gaza. In Ramallah today, the Secretary of State asked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to re-open peace talks he cancelled because of Israel's military incursion into Gaza. Although Israel has pulled out, Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, refused Rice's request, saying he first wants to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But Israel and the US are opposed. Can Secretary Rice get the Annapolis peace process back on track?
To the Point
Preparations Underway for Annapolis Peace Summit After years of being accused of doing little to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli dispute, the Bush Administration is finally preparing a peace initiative next week in Annapolis, Maryland. Israel seems to have begun taking steps to ease tensions and prepare the way for talks, today releasing several hundred Palestinian prisoners. Yet, with only days to go there is no certain list of who will attend or of the agenda. Is it too late for peace between Israel and the Palestinians? Tim McGirk is Jerusalem Bureau Chief for Time magazine.
Recommended
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.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
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
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.