- Social:
Reuters
Warren Strobel is Diplomatic Editor for Reuters. He is a former foreign affairs correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers
PROFILE
Warren Strobel
Guest
FROM Warren Strobel
To the Point
Another wedge between the President and intelligence community It's reported that intelligence agents are withholding information from the Chief Executive out of fear that it could be leaked or compromised. The President today called that "fake news," but said he will investigate leaks about alleged ties between his campaign team and Russian agents, leaks which are damaging to his conduct of foreign policy. "The first thing I thought of when I heard about this is how does the press get this information? It's classified. You know why? Because it's an illegal process, and the press should be ashamed of themselves. But more importantly, the people who gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves." This comes in complete contrast to his praise of Wikileaks during his presidential campaign. We look at the growing gap between the President and the intelligence community.
To the Point
The United States in another Middle-East civil war For months, State Department officials and a few members of Congress have warned that America's at risk of violating international law. Until today, it was all about US military aid to Saudi Arabia's bombing of civilian targets in Yemen, its tiny neighbor already devastated by civil war. Today, an American warship fired cruise missiles into Yemen — in retaliation for shots fired from shore -- making the US more directly involved than ever. Now Iran is sending ships to the region -- escalating an already tense international situation while a humanitarian disaster unfolds on the ground.
Which Way, L.A.?
Iraq: That 'Other' War As the US prepares to send 30,000 or more troops to Afghanistan, Iraq has seen a dramatic decrease in violence. But politics is another matter. Today, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi was given a few more days to approve or veto a new election law that is crucial to the benchmarks established for US withdrawal.
To the Point
Iraq: That 'Other' War As the US prepares to send 30,000 or more troops to Afghanistan, Iraq has seen a dramatic decrease in violence, less today than at any time since the US-led invasion of 2003. All 120,000 American troops are out of the cities, replaced by Iraqi forces. Complete US withdrawal is supposed to be paved by elections early next year, but powerful ethnic differences — all too familiar -- have caused it to be delayed. Today, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi was given a few more days to approve or veto a new election law that is crucial to the benchmarks established for withdrawal. Could the inability to form a stable government mean a return of violence? Would American troops be pressed back into action? What would that mean for President Obama's plan to increase forces in Afghanistan?
Which Way, L.A.?
US and Allies Talk to Iran about Its Nuclear Program Early this morning, in the Geneva countryside, representatives of six world powers began talks with Iran's over its nuclear program. The talks, which are being watched closely by Israel, come after Iran's recent disclosure of a hidden enrichment facility, heavily guarded and dug deep inside a mountain. Mark Strobel is senior foreign affairs correspondent for McClatchy News Service .
To the Point
US and Allies Talk to Iran about Its Nuclear Program Early this morning, in the Geneva countryside, representatives of six world powers began talks with Iran's over its nuclear program. The talks, which are being watched closely by Israel, come after Iran's recent disclosure of a hidden enrichment facility, heavily guarded and dug deep inside a mountain. Mark Strobel is senior foreign affairs correspondent for McClatchy News Service .
Which Way, L.A.?
Taking It to the Streets: Election Rallies in Iran For the past three weeks Iranians have been out on the streets in the tens of thousands, with a fervor many say hasn't been seen since the toppling of the Shah thirty years ago. Tomorrow, voters in Iran head to the polls in what has become an almost free-for-all presidential election between incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi . Text messages, Facebook and television debates are all part of the fray. What are the issues driving voters? What role will women play in the vote's outcome? Will this new spirit of debate and openness continue? Would a new president take a different tack in dealing with the West?
To the Point
Taking It to the Streets: Election Rallies in Iran For the past three weeks Iranians have been out on the streets in the tens of thousands, with a fervor many say hasn't been seen since the toppling of the Shah thirty years ago. Tomorrow, voters in Iran head to the polls in what has become an almost free-for-all presidential election between incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformist candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi . Text messages, Facebook and television debates are all part of the fray. What are the issues driving voters? What role will women play in the vote's outcome? Will this new spirit of debate and openness continue? Would a new president take a different tack in dealing with the West?
To the Point
Mideast Leaders Meet at White House before Peace Conference Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is at the White House today on the eve of a high-stakes Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland. At the invitation of the Bush Administration, sixteen Arab nations including the Palestinian Authority and Syria have agreed to sit down and talk with Israel. Warren Strobel is senior correspondent for foreign affairs for the McClatchy Newspapers .
To the Point
Private Security Guards and the War in Iraq Blackwater USA —with more than a billion dollars in federal contracts—was on the carpet today on Capitol Hill. Congressional investigators claim that Blackwater guards shot first in almost 200 shootouts and killed innocent Iraqis in incidents the State Department helped cover up. Company founder Erik Prince, a former Navy Seal who has rarely been heard from in public, today told the committee that the shooting was always defensive, that 30 of its men have been killed and that that none of the VIP's under guard has ever been lost. Are they skilled professionals who free up Marines and soldiers or rogue mercenaries who interfere with America's goals in Iraq?
To the Point
America's Tangled Diplomacy in the Middle East In Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, diplomats from some 50 countries are meeting this week on the future of Iraq . Prime Minister al-Maliki is under intense pressure, asking forgiveness of $50 billion in debt rolled up by Saddam Hussein while trying to show he can hold on to his own job. Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Syria's foreign minister--the countries' most senior diplomatic contact since 2005, when the US pulled its ambassador from Damascus after the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister. Rice may also meet her Iranian counterpart, but there are new problems with Saudi Arabia. Will King Abdullah help Iraq rebuild by forgiving debts racked up by Saddam Hussein? Is America's most important Arab ally trying to distance itself from US interests in the Middle East?
To the Point
North Korea Agrees to Close Nuclear Reactor for Oil At the six-party talks in Beijing, North Korea has agreed to a phased shutdown of its nuclear program in exchange for aid, including tons of fuel oil. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the agreement a positive move by Pyongyang, but former UN Ambassador John Bolton, long-time critic of North Korea, calls it a "very bad deal." Warren Stroble is Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the McClatchy News Service .
To the Point
What's Next in Iraq and on Capitol Hill? Official Washington--and much of the world--are waiting for Wednesday's televised announcement of the President's "new strategy" for the war in Iraq. Most reports say it will mean an increase in troop strength of 20,000 or more, which Democrats now call an "escalation," in reference to Vietnam. The latest reports also say that the President will ask the Iraqi government to meet certain "benchmarks." The new leaders say voters rejected the war, but what power does Congress have to change the way it's conducted? Does the Iraqi government have the will or the capacity to meet "benchmarks" that may be demanded by President Bush?
Recommended
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
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.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?