Washington Post
Moscow correspondent in Moscow for the Washington Post
PROFILE
Will Englund
Guest
FROM Will Englund
To the Point
Russia Makes Threatening Moves in Crimea Russian state media have issued threatening warnings today, which have subsequently been contested by the country's diplomatic officials. But Vladimir Putin has had nothing public to say, and officials of the new government in Ukraine are warning about the prospect of an invasion. If Russia does intend to forcefully take control of Crimea, it would violate international laws on territorial integrity. Already, the western powers have threatened various ways to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically. Does Vladimir Putin care?
To the Point
Ukraine: the Man in the Middle Geographically, Ukraine is midway between the liberal democracies of the European Union and the authoritarian oligarchies of the former Soviet Union. It's also in-between economically and politically and, in recent weeks, tensions have led to increasingly violent protests. Over the weekend elected President Victor Yanukovich made strategic concessions , but they weren't good enough for angry demonstrators, who are calling on him to step down. In Kiev and other cities around the country, they've occupied government buildings, and police seem unable to enforce new laws designed to crackdown on dissenters. How long can it last? Is there a risk of civil war? What are the stakes for Russia's Vladimir Putin? What about the US and the consequences for the global economy?
To the Point
Ukrainian Government Tracking Protesters through Cellphones In Ukraine, protests over new laws restricting free speech and assembly are turning violent. It appears that one side or the other may soon put an end to the standoff. That's according to Will Englund who's in Kiev for the Washington Post .
Which Way, L.A.?
Suicide Bombings as Russia Prepares for Olympics Two deadly bombings have struck the southern Russian city of Volgograd in the past two days, leaving at least 31 people dead and as many as 70 wounded in what appear to be suicide attacks. Although Volgograd is hundreds of miles away from the site of the February Olympics in Sochi, the violence has raised concerns about terrorism at the Games. Sunday's explosion took place at the main train station. Today's blast destroyed a trolley during the morning rush hour. Will England is Moscow correspondent for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Suicide Bombings as Russia Prepares for Olympics Two deadly bombings have struck the southern Russian city of Volgograd in the past two days, leaving at least 31 people dead and as many as 70 wounded in what appear to be suicide attacks. Although Volgograd is hundreds of miles away from the site of the February Olympics in Sochi, the violence has raised concerns about terrorism at the Games. Sunday's explosion took place at the main train station. Today's blast destroyed a trolley during the morning rush hour. Will England is Moscow correspondent for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Meteor Crashes to the Earth in Russia's Ural Mountains Today a huge asteroid is passing close to Earth without incident, but a smaller one streaked across the sky over Russia, creating an ongoing shock wave, causing extensive damage and injuring 980 people before crashing into the City of Chekyabinsk in the Ural Mountains.
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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.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
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.