To the Point
The World Awash in American Weapons
There's a boom in both legal and illegal weapons sales worldwide. The US is both the leading exporter and the leading target on the black market. Also, a federal state of emergency as 17 fires rage out of control in southern California, and tensions flare on the Turkey-Iraq border.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenThere's a boom in both legal and illegal weapons sales worldwide. The US is both the leading exporter and the leading target on the black market. We hear what's being done to stem the illegal trade and to help America's arms industry compete in the legal markets. Also, a federal state of emergency as 17 fires rage out of control in southern California, and Turks and Kurds on the Iraqi border. Can the US stop the violence from spreading?
Photo: Ceerwan Aziz-Pool/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesSan Diego Still in Flames
At the request of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President Bush has declared a federal state of emergency in seven southern California counties from Ventura to the Mexican border. At least 16 fires are burning out of control, and some 320,000 people are now evacuees. More than 1000 homes have been destroyed in San Diego County alone.
Read the story6 minA World of Weapons
The United States is the largest exporter of weapons worldwide—as well as the world’s prime target for illegal arms deals. The Justice Department is battling 108 countries — including Iran and China — with full-fledged procurement networks on the black-market.
Read the story38 minDiplomatic Efforts to Defuse Turkish, Kurdish Rebels Conflict
The State Department says there's "a diplomatic full-court press" underway to prevent Turkey from launching a full-scale military assault against the PKK, the Kurdish rebels inside northern Iraq. It’s a tough call for all the players involved—Iraq's central government, the regional Kurkish regime—and US forces.
Read the story6 min
