To the Point
Assessing 'Benchmark' Progress in Iraq, Two Months into Surge
Despite other differences, President Bush and his critics agree that t Iraqi violence will end only when there is national reconciliation. Is the Iraqi government meeting benchmarks designed to give Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds a stake in peace and stability? Should the US threaten to cut off support until more progress is made? Also, the President wants to create a new 'war czar' position, but nobody seems to want the job and, on Reporter's Notebook, all charges are about to be dropped. What's next for the Duke lacrosse players publicly accused of sexual assault?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenDespite other differences, President Bush and his critics agree that t Iraqi violence will end only when there is national reconciliation. Is the Iraqi government meeting benchmarks designed to give Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds a stake in peace and stability? Should the US threaten to cut off support until more progress is made? Also, the President wants to create a new 'war czar' position, but nobody seems to want the job and, on Reporter's Notebook, all charges are about to be dropped. What's next for the Duke lacrosse players publicly accused of sexual assault?
In this episode
3 storiesWhite House Turned Down by Three 'War Czar' Candidates
A spokesman for the President's National Security Council has confirmed that the White House wants to create a "czar" to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but, so far, nobody wants the job. That's according to today's Washington Post in an article co-authored by Peter Baker.
Read the story6 minIs It Time to Increase the Pressure on the Iraqi Government?
President Bush and Democrats in the Congress are deadlocked over setting withdrawal deadlines for the funding of US troops in Iraq. In the meantime, both sides agree with military leaders that continuing violence won't end until there is political reconciliation among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
Read the story34 minDuke Rape Case Dropped
A sensational case that got international news coverage is about to come to an end. All charges are to be dropped against three Duke lacrosse players accused of assaulting a stripper at a team party last year. The Raleigh District Attorney who charged them faces possible disbarment and the North Carolina Attorney General who took over the…
Read the story8 min
