To the Point
Stepping Up the Fight against the Taliban in Pakistan
The Taliban, which has moved within sixty miles of Islamabad, has alienated many Pakistanis recently, with videos of the public flogging of a young girl, as well as speeches challenging the democratic principles that are cherished by Pakistanis. Guest host Sara Terry considers whether the military offensive against the Taliban is diverting attention from the need for a new Pakistani-US relationship. Also, the White House appoints a "compensation czar" with authority over executives at companies that receive federal support, and why fighting among Britain's leftist Labor Party could leads to gains for the right.
The Taliban, which has moved within sixty miles of Islamabad, has alienated many Pakistanis recently, with videos of the public flogging of a young girl, as well as speeches challenging the democratic principles that are cherished by Pakistanis. Guest host Sara Terry looks whether the military offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley is diverting attention from the need for a new Pakistani-US relationship. Also, the White House appoints a "compensation czar" with authority over executives at companies that receive federal support, and turmoil in Britain's Labor Party. How long can Prime Minister Gordon Brown hold on to office?
Banner image: Pakistani men carry a body from the rubble of the Pearl Continental hotel after a bomb blast killed 11 and injured at least 50 people in Peshawar, Pakistan. The blast, powerful enough to leave a crater 6 feet deep and 15 feet wide, collapsed the western wing of the hotel.The Taliban have continued their revenge attacks keeping all cities on high alert. Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesCompensation Czar Will Set Executive Pay at Top Banks
The White House today is expected to appoint a Compensation Czar , who will have wide authority to set the pay for 175 top executives at seven companies that received hundreds of billions of dollars in federal assistance.
Read the story8 minPakistan Steps Up the Fight against the Taliban
Suicide bombers set off a massive blast in Peshawar yesterday, killing 18 people. Was it a response to the Pakistani military's recent offensive of a Taliban stronghold in the Swat Valley? What will become of the two million civilian refugees who have fled the fighting? Could this humanitarian crisis been averted?
Read the story34 minBritain's Leftist Government Wobbles
Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown narrowly averted a rebellion within his own Labor Party that would have cost him his job. These days, the party's glory years under Tony Blair seem part of the distant past. How long can Brown hold Labor together? How is party chaos affecting voters at the polls?
Read the story8 min