To the Point
Is the New Russia Looking More Like the Old?
Vladimir Putin berated the US this weekend in terms that echoed the Cold War. Is the New Russia looking more like the old? We look at Kremlin takeovers of energy and the media. What about the imprisonment and mysterious killings of business rivals and political critics? Plus, Iran denies US charges that it armed Shiite groups in Iraq with armor-piercing weaponry. On Reporter's Notebook, the Dixie Chicks and the politics of pop music.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenVladimir Putin berated the US this weekend in terms that echoed the Cold War. Is the New Russia looking more like the old? We look at Kremlin takeovers of energy and the media. What about the imprisonment and mysterious killings of business rivals and political critics? Plus, Iran denies US charges that it armed Shiite groups in Iraq with armor-piercing weaponry. On Reporter's Notebook, the Dixie Chicks and the politics of pop music.
In this episode
3 storiesDixie Chicks Find Vindication, Take Home Five Grammys
Two weeks before the Iraq invasion, the Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience, "We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." The group was banned on country radio. But that was then and this is now. Last night the Dixie Chicks won all five of the Grammy Awards for which they were nominated.
Read the story1 minMilitary Offers Evidence of Iran Arming Iraqi Shiites
Iran is angrily denying US charges that it supplied Shiite groups in Iraq with armor-piercing weaponry. There's still talk about the nature of the briefing where American officials revealed their "evidence." However, once again, the big news today from Baghdad is deadly violence. Liz Sly is Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Chicago Tribune .
Read the story1 minResurgent Russia, Friend or Foe?
The US may not want to resume the Cold War, but Vladimir Putin's Russia shows signs of returning to Soviet-style authoritarianism. The Kremlin is taking over powerful industries and the media. Political critics, business rivals and reporters have been murdered in mysterious circumstances.
Read the story1 min
