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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle East

    The Arab summit is reaching out to Israel, led by the regional powerhouse of Saudi Arabia, where King Abdullah has taken up where Egypt left off. Despite Israel's initial rejection five years ago, Prime Minister Olmert has agreed to take another look.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    The Arab summit is reaching out to Israel, led by the regional powerhouse of Saudi Arabia, where King Abdullah has taken up where Egypt left off. Despite Israel's initial rejection five years ago, Prime Minister Olmert has agreed to take another look. In Egypt itself, voters have increased the powers of President Mubarak, but the election's being criticized as a violation of his promise to increase democracy. Pakistan's President Musharraf, a guest at today's Arab summit, is another US ally accused of stifling dissent to strengthen his own position. For three years before September 11, US aid to Pakistan amounted to less than $10 million; since then, it's been more than $10 billion, with only Israel and Egypt getting more. How great is the risk of extremist takeovers in Egypt or Pakistan? Is US aid promoting democracy or propping up repressive regimes? We hear from journalists, military and political analysts, foreign policy experts, and human rights advocates.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle East
    1. 1:41Iranian TV Airs Footage of Captured British Sailors
    2. 7:22Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle EastYou’re reading this
    3. 42:36Senate, House Create War-Funding Problems for Bush
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Dan Konecky

      Producer, To the Point

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      As'ad AbuKhalil

      Professor of Political Science at Cal State University Stanislaus

    • KCRW placeholder

      Elijah Zarwan

      Researcher with Human Rights Watch

    • KCRW placeholder

      James Dobbins

      RAND Corp

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle East
    1. 1:41Iranian TV Airs Footage of Captured British Sailors
    2. 7:22Diplomacy and Promises of Democracy in the Middle EastYou’re reading this
    3. 42:36Senate, House Create War-Funding Problems for Bush
    Back to To the Point