31 Burst results for "International Crisis Group"
Bloomberg Radio New York
"international crisis group" Discussed on Bloomberg Radio New York
"Iran's government under pressure from the world and its own people. Let's take a closer look now at Iran from a national and international security perspective. Ali vaez is here with me in Washington. He's the Iran project director for the international crisis group, but think tank that tracks global conflicts. The question that I think is often overlooked in the west is what will this pressure policy that the west is entirely focused on due to the Iranian people. They are already on the brink, another 5 to ten years of pressure and isolation will weaken the society even further in a way that even if a tipping point is reached, it might not necessarily result in the kind of transition to a democratic system that the west wishes to see. So although the west can not, I think, midwife a positive outcome necessary in Iran. This is not South Africa that the west had a lot of leverage against that could use in which there was Nelson Mandela that could lead the democratic transition in which there was William FD clerk who was willing to compromise and hand over the power. All I think the west can do is to try to get into the kind of arrangements that would limit the threat around process on the nuclear front that threat Iran poses in the region and all of those have different solutions and eventually also try to empower the Iranian people through allowing the kind of sanctions relief that would benefit them the most. Just to use your analogy between the United States and the Soviet Union, one of the differences is that at the time the Soviet Union was a major nuclear power as, of course, was the U.S. and so that was the basis of the relationship. Whereas Iran is trying to become a nuclear power and the rest of the world is trying to stop it. Do you think that ultimately Iran will achieve its goal of gaining a nuclear weapon? Or the efforts by the west to stop it will succeed in keeping it from getting one. Any country, historically, that has been determined enough to go for a nuclear weapon has been able to achieve that objective. And I don't think Iran will be an exception to that rule. But in the Iranian case, I don't think there is a scenario in which they can weaponize without going through a conflict first. Because this is a program that is so deeply penetrated by western and Israeli intelligence as we have seen by repeated covert operations against Iran over the years. Iran has blamed Israel for what it called an act of terrorism on its Natanz nuclear facility according to state TV. Iranian foreign minister Muhammad Javad Zarif vowed revenge. So once the decision, the political decision to go for a weapon is made, I think you will probably see in a U.S. led attack on Iran's nuclear program. But having said that, although there is a military option for setting back Iran's nuclear program, there is no military solution to prevent Iran in a sustainable fashion from achieving that objective. And that is why the diplomatic solution remains in the perspective of the Biden administration. The best and most sustainable solution for curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. Do you think that the risk of a military confrontation between the west and Iran is high? Well, absolutely. The problem right now is that the headspace were escalation on the Iranian side is shrinking by the day. You know, the U.S. has basically maxed itself out of sanctions leverage. It has sanctioned almost everything that moves in Iran. It
Bloomberg Radio New York
"international crisis group" Discussed on Bloomberg Radio New York
"Let's take a closer look now at Iran from a national and international security perspective. Ali viez is here with me in Washington. He's the Iran project director for the international crisis group, but think tank that tracks global conflicts. The question that I think is often overlooked in the west is what will this pressure policy that the west is entirely focused on due to the Iranian people. They are already on the brink, another 5 to ten years of pressure and isolation will weaken the society even further in a way that even if a tipping point is reached, it might not necessarily result in the kind of transition to a democratic system that the west wishes to see. So although the west can not, I think, midwife a positive outcome necessary in Iran. This is not South Africa that the west had a lot of leverage against that could use in which there was Nelson Mandela that could lead the democratic transition in which there was William FD clerk who was willing to compromise and hand over the power. All I think the west can do is to try to get into the kind of arrangements that would limit the threat around process on the nuclear front that threat Iran poses in the region and all of those have different solutions and eventually also try to empower the Iranian people through allowing the kind of sanctions relief the good benefit them the most. Just to use your analogy between the United States and the Soviet Union, one of the differences is that at the time the Soviet Union was a major nuclear power as, of course, was the U.S. and so that was the basis of the relationship. Whereas Iran is trying to become a nuclear power and the rest of the world is trying to stop it. Do you think that ultimately Iran will achieve its goal of gaining a nuclear weapon? Or the efforts by the west to stop it will succeed in keeping it from getting one. Any country historically that has been determined enough to go for a nuclear weapon has been able to achieve that objective. And I don't think Iran will be an exception to that rule. But in the Iranian case, I don't think there is a scenario in which they can weaponize without going through a conflict first. Because this is a program that is so deeply penetrated by western and Israeli intelligence as we have seen by repeated covert operations against Iran over the years. Iran has blamed Israel for what it called an act of terrorism on its Natanz nuclear facility according to state TV. Iranian foreign minister Muhammad Javad Zarif vowed revenge. So once the decision, the political decision to go for a weapon is made, I think you will probably see in a U.S. led attack on Iran's nuclear program. But having said that, although there is a military option for setting back Iran's nuclear program, there is no military solution to prevent Iran in a sustainable fashion from achieving that objective. And that is why the diplomatic solution remains in the perspective of the Biden administration. The best and most sustainable solution for curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. Do you think that the risk of a military confrontation between the west and Iran is high? Well, absolutely. The problem right now is that the headspace were escalation on the Iranian side is shrinking by the day. You know, the U.S. has basically maxed itself out of sanctions leverage. It has sanctioned almost everything that moves in Iran. It
KQED Radio
"international crisis group" Discussed on KQED Radio
"Is very important for the government to change his approach, which they're using. Because the way they do it now, it's like putting a troll on the fire. I think this can lead other shabaab about risks to sympathy. As Islamist movements have spread to countries like Mali, Nigeria and Mozambique. Human rights abuses by some governments have been seen to fan the flames of radicalization. As I heard from Omar Mahmoud, senior analyst at the international Crisis Group. At times, you've had a state that intervened very heavy handedly. And that spirit of backlash. So, for example, in northern Nigeria, the context in which Boko Haram is thrived. There was a statewide crackdown in the state in northern Nigeria against this group in 2000 and nine and their leader was killed, and it was a small group at that time. But that is spurred grievances that have continued throughout the past decade. Many beneficial but in some places like the edge of Kenya's Boni Forest militarization appears to have helped a couple of years ago, it would have been impossible. To come to a village like Yang way without a military escort. But today it is safer and that's because the government has poured troops. Into this area. In fact, right in front of me is one of the military camps I can see about a dozen or so white tarpaulin tents. There's an armored vehicle with The letters AU for the African Union written on it, and this is because the government has really tried to quell the al Shabaab insurgency that's built into Kenya from Somalia. But even though it is safer, there is still a struggle to provide basic services. The ocean goes north that way. Okay to Somalia, local charities often step in to fill the gap. On that Omar setup safari doctors, which brought health care to vulnerable villages, She has seen how remote communities feel alienated and how that allows extremist groups to thrive. Cause is, um land and justice cause is Young people who can't afford, you know further education. It's about.
WBEZ Chicago
"international crisis group" Discussed on WBEZ Chicago
"Is very important for the government to change his approach, which is they're using, because the way they do it now, it's like putting great role on the fire. I think this can lead other shabaab about risks to sympathy as Islamist movements have spread to countries like Mali, Nigeria and Mozambique. Human rights abuses by some governments have been seen to fan the flames of radicalization, as I heard from Omar Mahmoud, senior analyst of the International Crisis Group. At times, you've had a state That's intervened very heavy handedly and that spirit of backlash. So, for example, in northern Nigeria, the context in which Boko Haram has thrived. There was a statewide crackdown in the state in northern Nigeria against this group in 2009, and their leader was killed, and it was a small group at that time. But that is spurred grievances that have continued throughout the past decade. Thank you, but in some places like the edge of Kenya's Boni Forest Militarization appears to have helped. A couple of years ago, It would have been impossible to come to a village like Tanguay without a military escort. But today it is safer and that's because the government has poured troops into this area. In fact, right in front of me is one of the military camps I can see about. A dozen or so white tarpaulin tents. There's an armored vehicle with the letters a you for the African Union written on it, and this is because the government has really tried to quell the al Shabaab insurgency. That spilled into Kenya from Somalia. But even though it is safer, there is still a struggle to provide basic services. Ocean goes north that way. Okay to Somalia, local charities often step in to fill the gap. Umra Omar setup Safari doctors, which brought health care to vulnerable villages. She has seen how remote communities feel alienated and how that allows extremist groups to thrive. Cause is, um land and justice. The root cause is Young people who can't afford, you know further education..
WBUR
"international crisis group" Discussed on WBUR
"Neighboring Yemen. So will the international mediation help. Peter Soulsby is a senior analyst on Yemen with the international crisis Group. I wouldn't be super optimistic that the new one boy is going to completely change the game on day one. I'd say over the last couple of years, most of us who worked very closely on the conflict. Would say that it's become increasingly clear that there's no quick and easy solution to ending this war. But what he can do at the very least, is start moving to change some of the incentives the parties involved. In the conflict at least adopt a new approach. Given that the U. N approach right now is pretty stale and out of date, not really in keeping with with the realities of the conflict. When you say that it's stale and out of date. What does hands Grundberg need to do to bring it up to date? Specifically, the issue has been for some time that you've got a very complex conflict with lots of different Local national regional parties involved, But the U. N is treated as if it was an old fashioned war between two groups between the Houthi is you control the Northwest and the Hadi government, which is based in in Riyadh. And if you want to start moving the conflict towards at least meaningful negotiations meaningful deal making. You need to start bringing more parties in which party should be brought in. There are session is in the south who work under the banner of the Southern Transitional Council. There are forces on the Red Sea Coast, their tribal leaders and then, of course, you've got women's groups. You've got a non governmental organizations inside Yemen who actually working to try and create peace who have been left out of these talks as well. What about Saudi Arabia? And Iran because they have a key role to play in this conflict. I'd say that you'd expanded beyond Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Star. Emirates still has a stake in the conflict as to other regional parties. Think the Saudis and the P Iranians will be looking at the wider regional context and looking at these talks that are ongoing and being hosted by the Iraqis in Baghdad, but absolutely without their thereby, and it's extremely unlikely we get anyway. Remind our listeners of what the situation is like in. Yemen, a country that the U. N says is facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It's pretty unimaginable to most people look like when I was reporting on the hunger crisis in 2012, you'd see small Children with really severe malnutrition who probably did not survive into the beginning of the conflict. When six years into this war, Uh, millions of people do not get enough to eat. And the country is on the verge of what the U N says could be the largest famine in a generation. So it really is very stark on the ground there. Enhance Grundberg finally comes into his new role at a time where we're seeing fighting. Almost intensifying. Absolutely. Over the past year and a half, we've seen what was questioning and Irma stalemated conflict become more and more intense. We're seeing increased frontline fighting over the last six months, and we're seeing intensification of cross border Attacks by the Sufis on Saudi Arabia, So he's really not being handed an easy job at all. Peter Soulsby there on the world's worst humanitarian crisis, which is currently taking place in Yemen..
The World: Latest Edition
How Will the Taliban Govern?
"With the taliban now in power in afghanistan it's raising all sorts of questions about how they will govern and whether the country will once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups like isis k. al-qaeda for a look at how these three groups are likely to interact and the new afghanistan. We're joined by ebrahim by his. He's a consultant with the international crisis. Groups asia program where he focuses on afghanistan abraham. Let's start with a question that we all seem to be asking. How different is the taliban. That's taken control afghanistan now from the one that ruled afghanistan from the mid nineties until they were pushed out of power following the nine eleven attacks. Well like most political movements it has learned adapted and changed over the years part of that lesson learning was that some of their restrictive policies in the nineteen ninety s. Turn them into pariahs. Tade where other countries were unwilling to recognize it or provided with any type of aid now. The taliban is very cognizant of the fact that they need international recognition as well as at least investment if not age so what could all this man for how the taliban interact with terror groups operating in afghanistan. Let's start with isis k. The group that took responsibility for the bombings near the airport that killed the us. Servicemembers many afghans. Who are isis kate. What is their goal or isotope us on. Province is the local branch of isis. And the moment they emerged the declared the taliban to be apostates and foreign spies that were working for the pakistan intelligence agency and a brutal war started between the two groups from the get go over the years due to being pressured not only by the taliban but also by the afghan government and the us forces and nato forces that were present in the country. I s k has lost. All belittled territory did control at one point in time but now it's still retains significant numbers of sleeper cells in various urban centers including kabul and able to activate them to take action such as they did in kabul airport last week
On Point with Tom Ashbrook | Podcasts
"international crisis group" Discussed on On Point with Tom Ashbrook | Podcasts
"That if the taliban does go down the road of conducting themselves in repressive way towards the afghan population they have plenty of means for doing it. Now and one thing that we will be watching Moving forward of course and we talked about it. A little earlier is the treatment of women within afghanistan taliban Spokes people have said that women can work that they can be free edge just as long as it's within the bounds of islamic tradition. Unin what are you looking for. What should the united states be looking for to get an idea whether the taliban is to gauge whether it's sticking to its word when it comes to the treatment of women well i think we'll be able to see clearly for example with the formation of the new government You know there's talks right now with Ringing her meeting who said former education minister. I mean if somebody like her was included in the new government. that'd be very positive sign but that could just be window dressing. That could just be signalling to the international community and a lack of seriousness. Another important thing to look for is Education In most of the country skied Whether government controlled or taliban-controlled generally did not go to school passed puberty but To see in places where there is a tradition where that happens. They can kabul that. That's allowed so. I think it's very early. I think in a few months time. We'll be able to see if the taliban are serious about their promises are not laura. What are you looking for in terms of treatment of women and and other humanitarian atrocities. That have happened under the taliban in the past. Yeah i mean. I think there's no question that life for women in urban areas is going to be more restrictive now than it was in the past in the past twenty years how much more restrictive we don't know but the idea that there won't be any change at all. I think is very unrealistic Education i think is the crucial thing education access to health. Care the kinds of things that could enable women to continue to develop their own capabilities and continue over much longer time horizon to fight for their own place in afghan society to the extent that that's what they want to do in terms of atrocities. I think what we need to watch for is how the taliban treats minority communities in particular. The hussars minority which is a largely shiite Is a shiite Group in afghanistan and islamic shiite group unlike the taliban and the majority of afghans who are sunni muslims The have been the victims of just egregious atrocities over a long period of time not only from the taliban in the past also from the islamic state presence in afghanistan and They will need protection from the remaining islamic state presence. That is there. So i think that will be a key indicator so far. The part of the charm offensive on on the part of taliban leaders has been reaching out to the hazara minority community and trying to indicate that they will protect them. But we'll have to wait and see an anon- taliban officials have said that they will not allow terrorist groups like al qaeda and isis To attack from afghan soil. Do you believe that pledge and again. How can the united states and others Judge whether they are sticking to it or the taliban is an enemy of isis and have been fighting isis or this moment state in afghanistan for a number of years so i think with respect to the islamic state. It's clear that the us and the taliban have shared interests al qaeda's a more complicated question. Al-qaeda still exists inside aniston. The leadership is mostly still there in having then. They came back from pakistan a few years ago there has not been a major attack organized from afghanistan in the areas that the taliban had controlled. So i think that the current generation tomlin leadership at least have a strong incentive to try to control al-qaeda's behavioral. Because they understand that that is probably the red line for them. However i don't think that means they're gonna break with al qaeda. I think they're going to allow a kind of operate and be afghanistan as long as they don't direct their activities towards the west. Okay unin goalpost of professor at arizona state university center on the future of war. Thank you so much for joining us today. At your and laurel miller is director of the asia program at the international crisis group. Thank you so much slow. It was my pleasure. I'm kimberly can store. This is on point.
On Point with Tom Ashbrook | Podcasts
"international crisis group" Discussed on On Point with Tom Ashbrook | Podcasts
"We're discussing. Who are the taliban. My guest this hour are laura miller director of the asia program at the international crisis group and on and gopal the journalist and professor at arizona arizona state university's center on the future of war. I i want to just ask quickly on and Just to to further our understanding of the taliban where do they. How are they funded. Where do they get their wealth. They're almost entirely self funded Through a variety of means both in the listen illicit economy so in the listed side taxation basically in the areas that they've controlled over the last few decades They tax all activity business activity farming etc They also are heavily. Involved in the opium trade and in different parts of the country will be involved in timber smuggling or or logging or other such concerns. They are actually more financially Self-sufficient than the offense government which is one of the one of their strengths. And one of the government's weaknesses so laurel. What do you expect to see next in the way that The taliban governs do you think that the factual the factions within the group can lead to further divisions and hamper their ability to to govern in any real way. Well i think what we know. For sure is that their number one priority will be to prevent factionalization and this is one of the reasons why their internal processes for decision making tend to be fairly slow focused on consensus building. In order to avoid decisions that might be divisive They they sort of build consensus before anything is agreed upon. I think that's one reason why they're process of forming a government now has been fairly slow But you know this will continue to be a challenge for them because it is much harder to be government than it is to be an insurgency. It's much more expensive to be government than it is to be an insurgency and so they have huge challenges ahead on being able to Really consolidate control of the country and one challenge that the united states has now is in how it deals with. The taliban president biden has said he's considering keeping us forces in afghanistan past his promised. Withdrawal date of august thirty first in order to get all foreigners and qualified. Afghans out of the country But taliban spokesman souheil shaheen told al jazeera english. The taliban would not tolerate any extension of the deadline so president biden announced to personnel of all military forces so if they extended that means the extended patient. I think they will do. Trade relations will create mistrust between us laurel. What what does this tell you about. The the how the relationship between the united states and the taliban and what kind of relationship they'll have a starting right out of the gate. Well i mean. It does illustrate the degree of mistrust and suspicion but it also illustrates that from taliban perspective. They have to be very careful at this early stage not to look too soft and accommodating towards the united states. I mean what's odd about this situation. Is that the august. Thirty first deadline was one that the us unilaterally set itself. unfortunately it's set that deadline before it really ascertained that it could meet that deadline. It wasn't one that was agreed with the taliban the taliban just kind of went along with that deadline But now you know. They're in a position. The taliban where they kind of have to be seen as putting their foot down doesn't mean that there can't be something negotiated but with this being out in the open. It makes it harder for people to come out of their corners and a white house press briefing yesterday national security advisor. Jake sullivan was asked whether the us was in talks with the taliban overextending that august thirty first withdrawal deadline..
WNYC 93.9 FM
"international crisis group" Discussed on WNYC 93.9 FM
"Conflict Resolution organisation. She's also a former deputy and acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the U. S. State Department. Laurel joins US Live from Washington D C. Welcome To the program. First of all, I mean, is Iran cheering the departure of American and international forces from Afghanistan. You know, the departure of U. S forces creates something of a problem for Iran and that as we're seeing unfold now, uh it is leaving greater chaos in its wake and Iran as a neighbor is affected by that chaos. However, there's a bit of a silver lining in this for Tehran and that it creates an opportunity to poke the U. S. And the I and two Show that the U. S has been defeated in Afghanistan and I expect they will not hesitate to use that talking point. How much swayed as Tehran hold in any negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. It has influence in Afghanistan. It has influenced that it has cultivated with the Taliban over a number of years now, including by um perhaps providing some material support to the insurgent group, though that's a very murky matter, but also by sometimes hosting Taliban leaders. A notable example of that is that the former Taliban leader Monster or who was killed in a US drone strike in 2015 was killed when he was traveling back to Pakistan from Iran isn't there, though a fair amount of animosity between the Iranian government and the Taliban? Yes, I mean, it's you know, it's interesting to see how this relationship has evolved because Iran has close ties with the Hazara minority in Afghanistan, which is a Shiite minority in a predominantly Sunni country, Sunni Islamic country and the Taliban is a Sunni Islamic group. There is a long history of Taliban oppression and violence directed at the Hazara minority. That again has these close ties with Iran. On. But if you're a neighbor of Afghanistan, and you see the Taliban ascendant in a way that even us military might was not able to stem you know, why wouldn't you try to seek some accommodation and influence with the group in order to protect your own interests? At least as I was talking about how much the Afghan people want some sort of negotiated settlement rather than a settlement on the on the battlefield. What are the prospects for that? Do you think at this stage? The near term prospects are very dim. Um from the Taliban perspective, there is no reason for them to seriously engaged in any kind of compromises while they are in the midst of of trying to press their military advantage until we see what the real balance of military power is on the battlefield in the wake of the US withdrawal. I don't think there's really any serious prospect. Of peace talks. Producing a result, however, um probably the Taliban and certainly neighbours like Iran and like Pakistan, know that an outright and total Taliban military victory is not a stable solution for Afghanistan that there would be opposition, and so ultimately you need some kind of negotiated power sharing. But from the Taliban perspective, they're not going to be inclined to do that. Until they very clearly have demonstrated. They have the upper hand if they're able to show that and just very briefly. I mean, is the U. S. Now out of the picture in terms of diplomatic leverage, given that it's more or less pulled out. It's not completely out of the picture, but its influence is very dramatically waned. It still has influenced to work with Pakistan that has a desire for relationship with the U. S. And that has influence over the Taliban. It has influence over the U. S government, which is still sorry over the Afghan government, which it's still funds but its influence over the Taliban. Is at this stage. Quite minimal. Laura. Thank you very much. Indeed for joining us today, Laura Miller, director of the Asia Programme for the International Crisis Group. As part of our regular daily commitment to the issue of climate change. We're going to head to Japan, the country's hosting a weeklong virtual summit, bringing together governments from across the Asia Pacific region to discuss the climate crisis. All part of preparations ahead of that big, um, meeting here in the UK in November Cop 26 as it's known Japan recently announced an ambitious new target for cutting greenhouse gases, upping its proposed reduction of co. Two emissions from 26% to 46% on 2013 levels. That's by 2030 and with the long term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Japan is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world, and it's heavily dependent on coal. I've been talking to the country's environment Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi. I asked him first about the summit taking place. The objective of the regional climate weeks is to promote collaboration among the various actors to create a regional momentum for cop 26 to be held in Glasgow this November. We have a critical opportunity here for building back better for redesigning our societies to become more sustainable, resilient and inclusive at the G seven summit in Cornwall last month. Japan, together with the other members committed to an end to new director government support for unabated coal power by the end of this year. Minister. Sudha also announced at the summit to provide a 6.5 trillion yen climate the finals in the next five years. He also pledged to House assistance on adaptation. Given though Japan's reliance on fossil fuels how are you going to meet your your ambitious targets? I mean, you've moved from 26% cut in emissions by 2030 to 46%. How are you going to do that in such a short space of time? 46% reduction by 2030 a net zero by 2050 very, um, business but I am quite confident we can achieve them. Because there are two key actors already moving ahead businesses and the local government. Businesses are joining the race to D globalization. Renowned Japanese companies are already taking absence not only to de carbonized themselves, but the whole supply chains. Local communities play an indispensable role on the ground. In Japan. 417 cities have already committed to becoming zero carbon cities by 2050..
KQED Radio
"international crisis group" Discussed on KQED Radio
"Handled listeners and supporters of KQED Public radio. It's now 5 21. It's all things considered from NPR News. I'm Mary Louise Kelly and I'm Ari Shapiro. Mexican voters are heading to the polls this Sunday in what's expected to be the biggest election the country has ever held with more people on the ballot than ever before. It's also becoming one of the bloodiest elections in Mexico to date 35 candidates have been killed. The president is not on the ballot for these midterm elections, but the vote is viewed as a referendum on his rule and whether his party can hold on to its supermajority needed to push through more of his populist plans. NPR's Mexico correspondent Carrie Kahn is with us now. Hi, Carrie. Hi, Ari. So, as we said, these are the biggest elections ever held in Mexico. What is up for grabs this Sunday? What's at stake? And is the country prepared for it? There are a lot of races of the biggest prize probably of the 15 governorships. There's a race in almost half of all states. Every single seat in the lower house of Congress is up for grabs and thousands of mayoral seats and state legislative posts. Mexico's independent electoral institution says it is prepared for this huge election, but violence might get in the way and keep voters away. You have the scale of violence is staggering. More than 30 candidates killed What's behind this quick answer. Organized crime gangs cartels, They're growing in numbers and infiltrating more into politics. Uncle Ernst is Mexico City based analyst with the International Crisis group. And he says politics and crime have long been intertwined in Mexico. The difference now is that you have a greater amount off colonel actress out there all trying to push into the state, which provides a lot off points of friction, which explains Why the competition over the state has become so overtly Verona cious these days By most counts. There are now more than 200 crime gangs operating in Mexico. It's staggering and the crime gangs want their candidates and power so they can control police forces and institutions. But also we're seeing politicians use crime gangs to fund campaign so they can get themselves in power and manipulate local contracting and help friends and family. The other thing is now that there's a lot of new parties on the ballot this year, so we have more political parties, more politicians and more criminal gangs. I know you just got back from the state of Guanajuato, where there's been a lot of violence, including a mayoral candidate who was killed in the middle of a rally. What did authorities there say about it? Just yesterday, they announced they arrested one man in the case, but they didn't give a motive or give any more details. That candidate was gunned down at this rally in the town of Mortal Leone. One of what Don't she's running in a small party and rising in the polls, and that party is not the party that runs the city now, and that's what's We've seen in a majority of candidates killed in this election cycle is that they've been the opposition to the party in power. Her daughter, Denise, body Gone, spoke with me. She's now taking her mom's place is the candidate from air Bangle, which, um, you better you're communicating your mother and she says she's scared, but she wants to fulfill her mom's pledged to help the people of more than Leon. There's a lot of money in that town. The state has been besieged by violence of late. Two powerful cartels are vying for power and territory there. Authorities leaked information and said that the son of the candidate was a leader of one of those cartels. He denies the claims. So I can't tell you clearly what's happening, But there's a lot of money, power and violence in these disputes. But what is clear is that democracy is a huge casualty of of all three. And although the president's not on the ballot, what's at stake for him and his agenda a lot really, and the rest. Manuel Lopez Obrador is at the halfway mark of a six year term. He's been a very polarizing politician there. He has great support among the poor. His polling numbers around 60%. But this mature election is really seen as a referendum on his rule. He came into office, pledging to put the poor first and reverse a lot of the free market policies that he says of ruin Mexico and so we'll have to see how he does so far, Polls showing he might hold on to his super majority in the Congress. That's NPR's Carrie Kahn. Thanks a lot. You're welcome. We have been keeping a close eye on the shuttered venue operators grant that is the 16 billion in federal aid money for independent clubs, theaters and other entertainment spaces that shut down during the pandemic. It was passed into law by former President Trump back in December and on Lee now our venue owners slowly starting to see that money. But as NPR's Andrew Lyne bongo reports emphasis On slowly. Let's meet a couple of the lucky people. First tires Joseph Force. He is a concert and music festival promoter in Indiana who owns flight levels. Entertainment After six months of waiting for the small business administration to get the program up and running, accept applications and start sending money out. I just made peace with the fact that it wasn't coming. Then last week, he got a notice from the S P. A. That is application had been approved. He filled out and signed some paperwork. And then the next day I received notice that my dispersement was scheduled. Now that money has a hit my bank account yet I have no idea how long that's gonna take. I actually could call the FBI who told him that it could take days or weeks. Steve shops is in a similar boat. He's the owner of Strother Cinema, a to screen movie theater and seminal Oklahoma. He said The FBI told him he'd see the money the day after Memorial Day yesterday came and went. Still haven't seen it. But shops in just four ski are the fortunate ones here. A spokesperson for the S P a said disbursements have gone out to people and will continue to go out as fast as possible. But most of the more than 13,000 applicants are like Lauren Wayne, the general manager of the State Theater in Portland made our process has been stuck in pending final review for a couple weeks now, with no updates beyond that, last summer wind and her team decided to close their smaller sister venue, Port City Music Hall. And keeping the state theater float has been a struggle. All that's keeping us in the business is advance ticket sales, and that's money needs to be in the bank. It's been a long, frustrating process for venue owners, especially as similar SP. A programs like the Rush, not Revitalization Fund have worked smoothly..
KCRW
"international crisis group" Discussed on KCRW
"Charges than the most serious could see her jailed for up to 14 years. Resistance on the streets to this coup has grown. Even those security forces have killed more than 800 people in a bid to hold onto power, Michael Sullivan reports from neighboring Thailand. Last month, members of the U. N Security Council heard a sobering assessment of the situation in post gumi in Mar. To put it simply Mamma's stands at the brink of state failure. This is not hyperbole or rhetoric. It is my sober assessment of a likely part forward. That's Richard Horsey, the international crisis group Long time Myanmar analyst who left after the coup. He added this stark warning the vast majority of the population does not want military rule and will do whatever it takes to prevent that outcome. Increasingly, that's meant attacks like this one in Myanmar's Sean State over the weekend, where a newly formed local group over anime and Mark Police station, leaving several dead. In Western Chin state. Another civilian group has been fighting and killing soldiers for months now, in and around the town of men, Doc. It's another room. Many diamonds if others could do like we've done, Inman doctors fighter says if other towns and cities defended themselves like us We could end the dictatorship and everything would be better, he says. And we would have the democracy we want. That's normal people actually taking these these first steps towards an armed resistance. David Matheson is another Myanmar based analyst now living in Thailand. After the coup. We use our homemade guns to attack and then we get war weapons and then slowly I mean, it's it's basically like the very fundamental first steps of an insurgency. University of Washington professor Mary Callahan has lived in Myanmar on and off for more than a decade and expert on Myanmar's military, She says this resistance Is proving a problem for the military or top model. The Tama is pretty well spread out. I mean, it's fighting against the resistance that changes tactics every single day. They're dozens, maybe hundreds of these local militia force. And so, you know, the military's pretty over stretched over stretched, especially given the ongoing fighting with some of Myanmar's more established armed minority militia groups along its borders. Some of whom are offering training to citizens who want to fight. In an urban areas. David Matheson says the resistance is active as well. They've been taking out local government officials and then what they referred to in Burmese is the land or informants or collaborators. This is going to get very, very nasty, and it's also happening nationwide. It's happening in lots of different places. That doesn't necessarily mean the resistance poses an existential threat to military rule. And in fact, the top model appears to be confident it will prevail, seemingly oblivious or indifferent to the fact that nationwide strikes protesting the coup have crippled the economy, with supply chain issues threatening even worse. Mary Callahan. We're already seeing significant drops in calorie and take in period urban areas in central Burma. There are no jobs. There is no cash. There is no health care. This is a crisis of epic proportions, the most likely outcome, she says. Is that the simmering conflict continues with no clear winner May him, she says, for months, if not years to come. For NPR News. I'm Michael Sullivan and Chiang Rai, Thailand. This is NPR news and you are listening to morning edition right here on KCRW. Tune in tonight at seven As KCRW joins public radio stations across California to mark the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd will look at police reform efforts and take your phone calls. It's a special called How George Floyd Change California starting tonight at seven on KCRW. Aloha to KCRW Home Court. I am a huge fan of this station, and.
Democracy Now! Audio
"international crisis group" Discussed on Democracy Now! Audio
"Eight six six. The death toll in gaza has reached at least eighty three. Israel's aerial bombardment of the basij territory enters a fourth day. The debt includes seventeen children over four hundred. Eighty palestinians have been injured. The death toll in israel has reached seven as hamas and other palestinian militant groups. Continue to fire hundreds of rockets into israel. We're joined now by nathan thrall former director of the arab-israeli project at the international crisis group. He's now a writer based in jerusalem author of the book the only language they understand forcing compromise and israel and palestine. His latest piece for the new york review of books is headlined a day in the life of abed salama. Well how one man's quest to find. His son lays bare the reality of palestinian life under israeli rule. Nathan if you can comment on the latest escalation and what this means including the us response and then tell us the story of abed and his little five year old son milad and what happened to him. Thanks for having me aiming what. We're what we're seeing right now in the land under israel's control from the river to the sea is an uprising. That's taking place In cities in the west bank where it is being suppressed by palestinian security forces. It's taking place in palestinian cities inside of green line. Israel is pre nineteen sixty seven israel. And of course It's taking place in next east jerusalem and end in gaza and i have to say that having lived here for quite some time. This feels unlike any other time. That i've been here to have lynch mobs roaming through the streets and people purely based on their ethnicity is really quite frightening and and disturbing to all the people around here and and and it's really a unique moment. I think the most significant thing that's happening now is actually the attacks within Green line israel and as some of your previous guests were saying the unity that you're seeing among palestinians that israel had attempted to fragment for decades and this has been a key part of israel's strategy and israel's success in maintaining an occupation for over half a century and actually for the entirety of israel's existence save for six months it kept the majority of the palestinian native population under its control under some kind of a military regime while having separate regime for the jews living here and what we're seeing now is really an attempt by palestinians to connect what had been very separate struggles of palestinian citizens of israel for equality of palestinian citizens of israel are prevented from even living in hundreds of jewish communities within israel. What we're seeing is a unity of palestinians in jerusalem who are demanding that israel cease to implement a racist law which allows jews to obtain properties held before nineteen forty eight while not allowing palestinian residents tax paying residents of the city to do the same thing and of course in in gaza. We have a brutal siege that shows no sign of ending and utter desperation among the people there to find some way to end it within the west bank. You have palestinians living in most of them living in one hundred and sixty five little islands of palestinian autonomy. that is in fact under total israeli control. Israel enters these islands of autonomy at disconnected from one another. They need israeli permission to go between them. And and the palestinian security forces now in these disconnected islands are suppressing the protests. That are taking place if we look at the whole territory. Altogether these palestinian islands of autonomy. One hundred sixty five of them in the west bank plus gaza. They amount to about ten percent of the territory of mandatory palestine the territory under israel's control not including the golan heights so what we have is israel directly administering and controlling ninety percent of his territory. And we have ten percent of it that is in this pseudo autonomy which is not a real autonomy and the international community describes the situation as something totally other than what it is. The international community describes this as a situation of the so-called palestinian-controlled west bank factor factor dominated west bank. Well actually israel not just controls all of the west bank but it actually directly administers the majority of the territory in the west bank. The entire discourse of the of the international community about this conflict is one of wishful thinking that we have a palestinian state in the making and in israeli state. and it's really kind of a border conflict between them rather than the reality of the situation which is one sovereign state controlling all the territory and one hundred sixty five tiny little islands that make up less than ten percent of the territory that don't have real autonomy don't have real sovereignty and don't have any prospect of freedom or independence anywhere on the horizon and this entire system is funded by the united states. Paid for by the united states and you hear liberals in the united states now calling for the us to play a greater role progressives even well meaning progressives calling for the us to play a greater role but this is a totally contradictory position. If you understand that the. Us is part of the problem that the us is funding the slow takeover of this entire territory the constriction of palestinians into even smaller spaces Then if anybody in favor of palestinian freedom and independence did not want to greater role for the united states. That's a very long answer. And i haven't gone to the peace so i'd be glad to discuss that now before we do that. Nathan could you talk now. There's a real threat of a an israeli ground. A vote on gaza. What do.
WNYC 93.9 FM
"international crisis group" Discussed on WNYC 93.9 FM
"A top official with the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration tells NPR efforts to target drug cartels in Mexico have unraveled. The culprit is a diplomatic row. That's frozen joint investigations and intelligence sharing between the two countries. This comes at a time when cartels are shipping more and more fentanyl into the U. S driving a record spike in overdose deaths. NPR addiction correspondent Brian Mann reports last year Overdose deaths in the U. S surged in a way no one's ever seen killing more than 90,000. Americans. Matthew Donahue is head of operations for the D. E. A, which means he directs US efforts to curb drug trafficking around the world. He says illegal labs run by cartels in Mexico are the major source of fentanyl and methamphetamines. Driving the epidemic crisis is a national security crisis. International health threat Actual safety threat. But Donahue says efforts to fight drug cartels and target their operations inside Mexico have broken down because of a collapse in trust and cooperation between law enforcement and militaries in the two countries were willing to share with our counterparts in Mexico. But they themselves are too afraid, even engage with us because of repercussions from their own government that they get caught working with the The crisis began last October, when federal agents in California did something unprecedented and unusual. Arrested. L A X Last night the D, a arrested one of Mexico's top generals. Salvador Cienfuegos. Cienfuegos was arrested on drug trafficking and money laundering charges that report from CBS News. Cienfuegos was also Mexico's former defense secretary, without first notifying their Mexican counterparts, the DEA detained since Flacco's accusing him of working for one of Mexico's deadliest cartels. Under pressure from Mexico, then Attorney General William Barr backpedaled, dropping all charges and releasing Cienfuegos, But experts say the diplomatic damage was done. There's always been a very high level of mistrust between both sides, right Ernst Falco is an analyst with the International Crisis Group based in Mexico City. Before Sian flavors his arrest. He says U. S law enforcement was able to target drug cartels inside Mexico with the help of the handful of trusted elements within the Mexican military and police. Now, Falco says. Even those fragile links are broken operations and have pretty much been paralyzed. Basically. So what the U. S, had built up in terms of good relationships with the parts off Mexican state have pretty much called 100 in response to the Cienfuegos arrest. Mexican lawmakers approved a measure sharply restricting US drug operations inside Mexico. The law also requires Mexican officials to share any Intel the U. S provides about the cartels with other agencies, including agencies, the U. S doesn't trust As a result, information sharing and joint investigations ground to a halt. The Mexican government declined NPR's requests for interviews for this story, nor did they reply to questions submitted to multiple agencies within the Mexican government. The D E. A is Matthew Donahue says the winners in all this are the drug cartels. They do not fear any kind of law enforcement inside or military inside Mexico. Right now, sources in the U. S. Tell NPR this breakdown makes it harder to track fentanyl shipments and other drugs as they crossed the border bound for cities and small towns across the U. S. This comes at a moment when the Biden administration is dealing with an escalation in the number of migrants on the US Mexico border, while also scrambling to stem an overdose crisis. It's killing 240 Americans a day, a White House official told NPR drug interdiction will be the subject of talks between the two countries soon. Cecilia Far Fan Mendez, an expert on US Mexico. Security cooperation at UC San Diego, says restoring trust and cooperation won't be easy, especially with Mexican officials focused on elections next month. With the elections coming up, it's my expectation is that there's not going to be a lot of attention to what the U. S. Would like to do and how to enhance that operation. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez over door has also voiced skepticism of the old drug war model that targeted cartel kingpins. Well. That strategy led to arrests of high level traffickers and produce splashy headlines. Critics in the U. S and Mexico say it never significantly slowed the flow of drugs into the U. S. Brian Mann NPR news May 3rd may not seem like much, but it is the date that this show first hit the airwaves way back in 1971 TV news aired on three networks milk cost 50 cents a gallon. Lou Alcindor had just led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title. National Public Radio may not have had many listeners that first broadcast, but those who did tune in tended to stay around for more. I may be all things considered the longest listener. I was on the very original step that's right 50 years ago. NPR's own Susan Stamberg, She went on to become the first woman to anchor and nightly national news program. We asked her to share an on air highlight. The early days were wild. Sometimes they were brilliant, sometimes not. By the time this favorite 19 seventies memory aired, we were having a lot of fun. This recording is from July 1979. I riff Leda was substitute hosting with me that day, and he brought in a story about wintergreen lifesavers that they made sparks when you chewed them in the dark. This intrepid science reporter IRA had bought two packs of winter greens and invited me into the closet next to our studio. We had long cords on our microphones. We went into a very dark closet. Okay, Now we have to get to where we can see each other crunching. Okay, Who's going to do both chewing, I'll chew one first and then you watch and see. What happened? I put in my mouth. I thought I thought What did you see? I saw a flash of kind of greenish life just for a fraction of a second. Oh, I want to do this to you trying you trying. This is very bad for your teeth, So I hope you're not encouraging. Yeah. Oh, goodness, just like a little bit of lightning, no sparkle of lightning. I'm nobody could explain this very hard to talk and cute at the same time. Nobody could explain this and they said they've done some research on it. But they really have no explanation. It's one of the mysteries of science that never gets explained anything. You think Walter Cronkite started like this? And that's the way it was. All things considered age eight. And I have to tell you that my mother heard that and what she said to me was Susan. What were you doing going into a closet with a young man? And for this evening, that's all things considered public radio stations Cave the L U. Beaumont, Texas, W U. Om and Arbor contributed to tonight's program, which was directed by Morris Schlessinger. This match is starting to burn my fingers. Hurry Closer, edited by Ted Clark and produced by Neal Conan. That's NPR's Susan Stamberg with a favorite memory from our programs first decade. Tomorrow. She has a very different memory from the 19 eighties. Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren is out with a new book called Persist In It, she examines how personal experience shaped her policy positions from child care to sexual harassment in the workplace. Tune into morning edition tomorrow, Dear. That conversation..
KCRW
"international crisis group" Discussed on KCRW
"Let's make a plan dot org's Time is 7 45 at KCRW. It's morning edition from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep, and I'm No. Well, King. Good morning. Now we have a look at the city of Mara back in Yemen. It is a place that illustrates just how difficult it is to pursue a peace deal in that country. Here's NPR's Ruth Sherlock. It's me how much you must let me a scone, Hallie and human units and Thomas All Muslim. Me is the first year medical student in the city of Mara been northern Yemen. When we reach her by phone, she tells us in recent years, this was one of the safest places to be here spends about ash, my friends and I could go out. Enjoy places go to parks walk around together. These days, though the people of Ma robe terrified Yemen's Houthi rebels are advancing on the city on the front line is now just a few miles away, Miss Mata Hari. Come on, We hear the war. Houthi drones fly over us and more than once they've hit inside the city and in residential neighborhoods, women and Children have died. A little background on the war. The Houthi is captured Yemen's capital saner in 2015, Saudi Arabia, then intervened militarily because it was an ally of that government. And the Ruthie's were backed by Saudis. Regional rival Iran. The U. S supported Saudis efforts with equipment and intelligence, Mara remained under government control. The Saudis poured money into the city, and it became a hub for their operations. Refugees took shelter there. The province even built a new soccer stadium and university. Now. Mattie Mohammed, a resident of Marv, who works for the Center Center for Strategic Studies think tank, says the fact that the Houthi is now threatened. The city shows just how badly the US backed Saudi intervention in Yemen has gone silent. Well what, of course Sorry, has failed. The Houthis now control even more of Yemen and they have the upper hand. They now have drones that they used to attack inside Saudi Arabia. Some of those attacks is said to be with Iranian made weapons. Saudi Arabia says This highlights why it's important for it to be in the war in Yemen, trying to keep an Iranian backed group off its border. Peter Salisbury, a senior Yemen and list of the International Crisis Group says. If anything, the Saudi intervention in the war has only deepened Iran's involvement with Ruthie's in Yemen because they've been so successful. Who these air much more attractive proposition to Iran now than they were even six years ago. Salisbury says Saudi Arabia failed to unite an effective coalition against the Ruthie's. It's the hooches against this really fragmented, complex group off local actors who have kind of in premature of the government on them, he says, though, that the Houthi is will still have trouble taking Marty up. Many of those defending the area and then from local tribes who reject the Houthi is politics and different religious beliefs. This is gonna be a long, really messy fight, he says. For the Ruthie's, even just keeping up the fight from Arab is a victory. It demoralizes the Saudi backed factions and puts the Ruthie's in a stronger negotiating position for peace talks. President Biden has promised to use diplomacy to end the war in Yemen, but the battle for Morrow may still have a long way to go. Ruth Sherlock NPR NEWS Beirut It's morning edition from NPR News. I'm Noel King, and I'm Steve Inskeep. Met Gillam and you're listening to KCRW. Hey, it's Anthony Valadez Today.
WNYC 93.9 FM
"international crisis group" Discussed on WNYC 93.9 FM
"Rowe Price committed to helping investors closed the gap towards reaching their retirement goals. T. Rowe Price INVEST With CONFIDENCE It's Morning Edition on W. N Y C a Michael Hill New housing developments in the city require a certain amount of parking for cars nearby or on site. But a new development coming to Sunset Park Brooklyn, is requiring onside parking for working cyclists. W. N. Y c. Stephen Nessen reports, Sunset Park has been the site of fierce battles over new developments and gentrification. So when developers proposed a 14 story residential and commercial building at the site of a local Dunkin Donuts on Fourth Avenue The community board came up with a unique requirement. Secure bike parking for the delivery workers of the neighborhood. You're going to have 100 plus spaces above a subway station. To lock your bike lock and forget about it. That's Shabbas Stewart, founder and CEO of UNI, the company that makes eye catching, digitally connected bike parking pods. There's already one outside of Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal and Journal Square in Jersey City. Stuart was brought on board with the Sunset Park developers to think about how his secure bike system could work in a building that sits above a subway station and in the renderings. The plan is far from your typical bike parking in a dingy basement, the greenery to seethe wall, stop carefully through to see the skylight to see you know the screens that have the transit arrival times, right? Have the by Lingle's, You know displays. Stewart says 33% of the spots will be reserved for free for working cyclists in Sunset Park delivery workers. Particularly ones that rely on expensive $2000 e bikes for their jobs, risk theft or worse. In East Harlem, a delivery worker recently refused to give up his bike and was fatally shot. For Stuart. His bike storage is a way to protect vulnerable New Yorkers who may lose work if they lose their bike. For some, this is a matter of Can I feed my family? Can I send money back home? You know, I don't want to say that bike, parking his life and death. But this is going to be a facility that allows people to safeguard their livelihoods. It's a great idea, according to Glenn, DC, tourists an organizer with lost delivery steps. You need us, which advocates for working cyclists. But she says delivery workers need secure places to leave their bikes all over the five boroughs will be great. Her places like that and tired, silly, But this is not the case. The city currently has 56,000 parking spots for bikes, not nearly enough to meet the demand that grew during the pandemic. Loony founders about Stuart hopes future developments in the city will be required to include secure, accessible bike parking on site. Just like the one coming to Sunset Park. Stephen Nessen w N. Y C news It's morning edition from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep, and I'm No. Well, King. Good morning. Now we have a look at the city of mar up in Yemen. It is a place that illustrates just how difficult it is to pursue a peace deal in that country. Here's NPR's Ruth Sherlock. It's me, Hamas. You must let me a scone, Hallie and human units. Mama's All Muslim. Me is the first year medical student in the city of Mara been northern Yemen. When we reach her by phone, she tells us in recent years, this was one of the safest places to be here. Send sabotaging my friends and I could go out. Enjoy places go to parks walk around together. These days, though the people of Ma robe terrified Yemen's Houthi rebels are advancing on the city on the front line is now just a few miles away, Miss Mata Hari. Come on, We hear the war. Houthi drones fly over us and more than once they've hit inside the city and in residential neighborhoods, women and Children have died. A little background on the war. The Houthi is captured Yemen's capital saner in 2015, Saudi Arabia, then intervened militarily because it was an ally of that government. And the reviews were backed by Saudis. Regional rival Iran. The U. S supported Saudis efforts with equipment and intelligence, Mara remained under government control. The Saudis poured money into the city, and it became a hub for their operations. Refugees took shelter there. The province even built a new soccer stadium and university. Now. Mattie Mohammed, a resident of married who works for the Center Center for Strategic Studies think tank, says the fact that the Houthi is now threatened. The city shows just how badly the US backed Saudi intervention in Yemen has gone silent. Well what, of course Sorry, has failed. The Houthis now control even more of Yemen and they have the upper hand. They now have drones that they used to attack inside Saudi Arabia. Some of those attacks is said to be with Iranian made weapons. Saudi Arabia says This highlights why it's important for it to be in the war in Yemen, trying to keep an Iranian backed group off its border. But Peter Salisbury, a senior Yemen and list of the International Crisis Group, says, if anything, the Saudi intervention in the war has only deepened Iran's involvement with Ruthie's in Yemen because they've been so successful. Who these air much more attractive proposition to Iran now than they were even six years ago. Salisbury says Saudi Arabia failed to unite an effective coalition against the Ruthie's. It's the hooches against this really fragmented, complex group off local actors who have kind of in premature of the government on them, he says, though, that the Houthis will still have trouble taking mad up. Many of those defending the area and then from local tribes who reject the Houthi is politics and different religious beliefs. This is gonna be a long, really messy fight, he says. For the Ruthie's, even just keeping up the fight from Arab is a victory. It demoralizes the Saudi backed factions and puts the Ruthie's in a stronger negotiating position for peace talks. President Biden has promised to use diplomacy to end the war in Yemen, but the battle for Morrow may still have a long way to go. Ruth Sherlock NPR NEWS Beirut It's morning edition from NPR News. I'm Noel King, and I'm Steve Inskeep. MARKETPLACE Morning reporters coming up next on W N. Y. C and later on morning edition..
KCRW
"international crisis group" Discussed on KCRW
"News on Corvin Coleman. There were peaceful protests in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center yesterday over the police killing of a black man during a traffic stop last weekend. But after a nighttime curfew was called more protestors clashed with police from Minnesota Public Radio Matt Sepik reports at least 40 people were arrested. Police fired flash bang grenades and tear gas is people protesting the killing of 20 year old Dante, right during a traffic stop shot fireworks at officers guarding the police station. Looters broke into several businesses in a strip mall and set fire to a dollar store. Police chief Tim Gannon says Officer Kim Potter meant to use her Taser but shot her gun instead. Mats epic reporting. The unrest over rights killing by police comes as the nearby trial resumes today of the ex Minneapolis police officer charged in the killing of George Floyd. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case today. Defense lawyers for former officer Derrick Show Vin are expected to open theirs. MPR's count more than 400. People are now facing criminal charges stemming from the attack on the U. S. Capitol building in January. NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports, the FBI is still seeking the public's help in identifying suspects. NPR has been tracking every criminal case connected to the capital riot. Many of those 400 cases relates simply tow a person's presence inside the building, such as disorderly conduct or unlawful entry. Then there are the more serious charges. Least 60 cases involves some kind of physical violence, such as assault on law enforcement, and more than two dozen defendants face allegations of conspiracy. But even now, more than three months after the riot More charges are expected. The Capitol police have estimated that 800 people breached the building on that day, and the FBI is still looking for one important suspect the person who allegedly placed pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican Party headquarters the night before. Tom Dreisbach. NPR NEWS. Iran's foreign minister says Israel made a very bad gamble with the attack on the tones nuclear plant, NPR's Peter Kenyon reports calls are growing for Iran to respond to the attack. There's been no claim of responsibility for the Natanz attack, but Iran is convinced Israel was behind it. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called it a bad gamble because Iran will replace the old damage inter fusions with new, more advanced models. As for retaliation analyst alibi is that the international crisis group Says that could be tricky. The kind of Iranian retaliation that would act as deterrence against future attacks of this kind is a no operation on Israeli soil on that would be extremely dangerous and risks escalation that could easily spiral out of control. There are also calls for Iran to further reduce cooperation with U. N inspectors. Peter Kenyon. NPR NEWS Istanbul, You're listening to NPR news. The Japanese government says it's going to pour out tons of treated but still radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. It's from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japan says it will comply with all safety standards and that the process will take decades. Local fishermen, environmental groups and officials from China and South Korea strongly object. Water from the wrecked plant has been accumulating and storage tanks will be filled by next year. Over the past week, Kentucky has vaccinated thousands of incarcerated people against Copan 19 from member station W E K U Corin Boyer says Kentucky has reported its highest positivity rate in a month. Kentucky Department of Corrections inoculated 68% of the state's prison population within a week. Positive cases in jails have dropped significantly over the past month. Executive Cabinet Secretary Jay Michael Brown says people who are incarcerated received the one dose Johnson and Johnson covered 19 vaccination, and that was very deliberate because we didn't want to have to be in a situation of having to go back and do Second doses on what might be a transit population. Kentucky officials urged the public to sign up for the thousands of vaccination appointments open across the state after the state's positivity rate increased for NPR news. I'm Corin Boyer and Lexington President Biden has nominated his candidate to serve as secretary of the Army. If confirmed by the Senate, Christine Warm up would be the first woman to serve in the position. She was the number three official at the Pentagon during the Obama administration were meth has also served on the White House National Security Council. This is NPR. Support for NPR comes from NPR stations. Other contributors include Rocket mortgage, working to help home buyers find a home loan that fits their budget. Homebuyers can adjust payments, see tax estimates and closing costs all in real time. Rocket mortgage rocket can Donald Trump drew more working class voters to the GOP than any other president since Ronald Reagan. Coming up Republicans aimed to hold on to the working class vote, which is becoming a central focus for next year's midterm.
Bloomberg Radio New York
"international crisis group" Discussed on Bloomberg Radio New York
"World and National News with Nathan Nathan Paul. We need to act big. That is what Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is saying is the Biden administration continues its push for a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. You've got some Half months ahead until we get control of the pandemic, but we want to make sure we've got a good strong labor market and put people back to work in the thieves, small businesses that need help. Survive. In her first public interview since taking over Treasury last week, Ellen also tells ABC is Good Morning America. They need to understand what happened in last week's frenzied retail stock trading before taking action, yelling, meets with market regulators later today. President Biden heads to the State Department today. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki says it's mainly about thanking public servants. But she says he'll also talk broadly about foreign policy. Stephen Popper with the international crisis group says Russia and me and Mar will be immediate challenges is whether or not the United States approaches the situation in a way that is Cool headed, principled and consistent with the level of influence is able to wield. The test is not whether or not it's able to actually return permit to democracy or get electing navalny released. Residents also expected to announce he is raising the annual cap on refugees eightfold compared to the Trump administration. The Securities and Exchange Commission is suing to associates of former New York City mayor and attorney to former president Trump Rudy Giuliani. It's accusing left part US and David Korea of a $2 million fraud in a complaint filed in Manhattan. In federal court, the SEC says they used funds raised for their company fraud guarantee to pay for lavish personal expenses. The suit does not name Giuliani or his firm, Global News 24 hours a day on air and on Bloomberg quick take power by more than 2700, journalists and analysts in more than 120 countries. This is Bloomberg. There are only so many good afternoon. Would you like to try a free sample of our double fudge? Brownie? Oh, sure. Mm. That's very good. I'll just take one more just to be sure..
Marketplace
How The Biden Administration Can Tackle America's Longest War
"Administration is reviewing its options in many areas of foreign policy, including Afghanistan. It is America's longest war and in a deal with the Taliban. Last year, the Trump Administration agreed to withdraw U. S troops by May, but The new administration says the Taliban is not keeping its end of the bargain, hinting that U. S troops will likely stay longer. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports a former U. S government and U. N expert on Afghanistan, Rina Amiri knows that Americans are tired of fighting endless wars. Now we're trying to win the peace. But she says the Trump administration left a complicated hand. Amiri, now with New York University, says the U. S emboldened the Taliban. By negotiating the withdrawal schedule and keeping to it even as violent spite and Afghan peace talks faltered. And now what we have the situation where the Taliban feels very much they have won this war that they're winning this war that the peace agreement is simply a cover for withdrawal for the U. S. The U. S still has 2500 troops in Afghanistan under the deal with the Taliban, they're supposed to be gone a few months from now. But Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan, says the administration is taking a hard look at whether the Taliban are meeting their commitments to break ties with terrorists, reduce violence and negotiate in a serious way with the Afghan government. And in that context, we make decisions and now our force posture and our diplomatic strategy going forward. That's welcome news to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He told the Aspen Institute last week that he expects a U. S team in Kabul soon, and he's gotten good signals from Secretary of State Tony Blinken. A promised me robust diplomacy in the region. Full coordination with us in a focus on ending 40 years of violence, the bidet administration may be promising too much, though Laurel Miller of the International Crisis Group says it's signaling that it wants to keep some US troops in Afghanistan for counterterrorism purposes and wants a peace deal that protects the democratic and human rights gains of the past two decades. Those are all perfectly fine and understandable things to be saying Again in the very first days of the administration, but ultimately you can't have all of the above. Miller says The Biden administration will have to prioritize. There cannot be both a negotiated peace and keeping some troops even a small number in Afghanistan for counterterrorism or any other purposes Because the Taliban won't agree to that there can't be a negotiated peace and No change in the nature of the system of governance and and writes in Afghanistan. U. S officials have long said they would protect women's rights in Afghanistan. Rina Amiri says not following through on that could send the wrong signal to Islamist groups elsewhere, so she thinks the U. S needs to get the diplomacy, right. And she'd like to see a third party, perhaps from the U. N manage the peace process. It will also be more helpful for the U. S. Because right now, everything right on the U. S. You need a manager of this peace process Right now. We do not have a manager. A State Department spokesperson says the U. S will support the Afghan peace process with a quote senior and robust American diplomatic effort. Trump Administration's envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, remains on the job. Even a secretary Blinken builds out the team. Michele Kelemen. NPR NEWS Washington
WNYC 93.9 FM
"international crisis group" Discussed on WNYC 93.9 FM
"I'm Mary Louise Kelly. Try to walk towards the U. S capitol or the White House today and blocks before you get there. You will hit a security perimeter, concrete barriers, armored trucks, armed security. City is braced, of course for disruptions in the run up to Joe Biden swearing in braced for a possible repeat of violence from right wing rioters. Well, whatever happens or hopefully does not happen with the inauguration. The challenge of combating domestic violent extremism is not going away, and as of two days from now, it will like every other National security challenge fall to the incoming Biden team. Which prompts us now to take a look at what new ideas The Biden team may bring to the table. And for that, we're joined by Mary McCord. She was acting assistant attorney general for National security at the Justice Department. Mary McCord welcome. Thank you for having me. I'm going to start broad and then get specific. Do we know yet whether the Biden administration might take a dramatically different approach to this threat than the outgoing administration has I think we know that the new administration will simply because if you think that to the launch of Biden's campaign he launched by men talking about Charlotte's bills unite the right rally, which, of course, was a He in devastating example of domestic political violence and extremism. And so although we haven't heard any specific announcements yet, I think from the very beginning, you will see an emphasis on the threat that is posed by domestic violent extremism. This will, of course, be a area that various agencies and departments across the federal government will be working on, but I want to call attention to one person who will be playing a prominent role. Rust, Trevor's the incoming deputy homeland security director for President Biden. He was head of the National Counterterrorism Center until he was fired last year under the Trump administration. On do over the summer. This past summer, he made what now appears a very prescient prediction, he said. If the president loses the presidential election Russ Travers said. I wouldn't be surprised if right wing domestic terrorist group stage attacks, which is, of course, is exactly what we've now seen. That's right. And of course, I think Russ is a great appointment. You know, he understands that you need to bring a whole of government and frankly hole of community, not just government and certainly not just federal government. But also state local etcetera. You need to bring that approach to this problem set. Kind of like in the international terrorism. You had to bring Ah, hole of the international community as well as the U. S community to the problem set and you know, although he was prescient, he wasn't the only one. I mean, There's been a lot of us that have been talking for some time now about the danger of the You know the expanding recruitment and and you know, propagandizing of the far right in this country and some of the radicalization toward violence that we've seen it. We've seen it. Escalating through this year. You're talking about a whole of government approach. But of course, ultimately someone has to take the lead wandering around downtown. Do you see this past weekend? I was struck by all the big wanted posters at bus stops, which reads seeking information on the assault of the U. S capitol. And they give the number to call and it is 1 800 Call FBI. Because the FBI currently has the lead role in countering terrorism in the U. S. Is that the right set up is that something that the incoming team might look at changing, maybe standing up a new agency to deal with an emerging threat? I don't know that we need a new agency. But I think what we're going to see is, um the so much information is going to come out of these current infection investigations and this invest This information needs to be shared broadly because there are lots of tools that can be used and we need to have accountability. Whether it's federal level accountability, State level accountability, local level accountability and we have to have prevention and we're gonna learn a lot. You know, If you just read the complaints that have been filed so far in federal court in an instant in local court, you're gonna learn a lot about the sources and roots of the problem. Okay, that is Mary McCord. She wasan acting assistant Attorney General for National security at the Justice Department. She's now at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection. Mary McCord. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Thank you for having me. To Europe now, where Europeans are welcoming the new Biden administration, in particular its top diplomat, Anthony Blinken, He's the nominee for secretary of state. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that in France, they see Blinken as one of their own. Europeans say Secretary of state Mike Pompeo didn't take the European Union seriously. They had a hard time connecting with the hawkish evangelist from Kansas, but they believe things will be different with Tony Blinken. I think it will be like day. That's Ian, Lesser vice president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. I think tank that promotes US European cooperation. The selection of Tony Blinken has been greeted with tremendous enthusiasm in Brussels and you know it is part in parcel of The sense that after four very difficult years, there's an opportunity to set things back on course not only in terms of style but also in terms of substance. Lester says One key policy change. They're looking forward to the U. S. His immediate return to the Paris climate accord in France there, particularly looking forward to working with Blinken. He spent much of his school age youth in Paris and speaks native French, but that's not all, says former French Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffaella, who's known Blinken since Served in the Clinton administration in the nineties. No ceremony is not only Francophone is also a sympathetic person. He knows how to listen. And he's not arrogant. Is respectful in Europe. We appreciate that, and he knows it. Trump's America first policies, saw the U. S abandoned international treaties and take a harsh tone with its traditional allies in Europe. Visitation your leader on the moon like Thunderdome, then asked to show in a recent interview on French television, Blinking, lamented the U. S abdicating its leadership role in the world Without us, It's the law of the jungle, he said. And if China takes our place than it will be their rules that To find the 21st century, Lincoln's belief in American moral leadership was shaped by his family. His father and uncle were diplomats. His Polish born stepfather was a child survivor of the Nazi concentration camp. Auschwitz. Blinken spoke of the late Samuel Peas are when he accepted his nomination in November. At the end of the war. He made a break from a death march into the woods in Bavaria. From his hiding place. He heard a deep rumbling sound. It was a tank. Instead of the Iron Cross he saw painted on its side, a five pointed white star. He ran to the tank. Hatch opened. African American G. I looked down at him. He got down on his knees and said the only three words that he knew in the in English that his mother taught him before the war. God bless America. That's what America represents to the world, said Blinken. Robert Malley, who heads the International Crisis Group was a friend and schoolmate of Lincoln's during the 19 seventies, when they both attended the echo Johnny in manual in Paris. He says that time helped prepare Blinken for his diplomatic career. Growing up as an American in Paris at a time when for a number of French citizens, the U. S. Was not viewed as a as a force for good. It was in the wake of the Vietnam War, the US viewed as overly arrogant and trying to impose its way and he had to confront a universe in which what the U. S projected or thought of projected was not always what The recipients of that message Perceived after four years of Trump Europeans are once again wary of America. Malley thanks blinking is the right person to restore Europe's faith in its transatlantic ally, Eleanor Beardsley. NPR NEWS PARIS.
Forum
Ethiopia to replace Tigray region leadership as forces clash
"Let's move to Ethiopia, which is currently technically in a state of civil war. On Thursday, the Ethiopian military and officials in the northern Tigre region accused each other of instigating a civil conflict that has seen fighting between government soldiers and troops loyal to the regional administration. In a televised address early on Wednesday, Ethiopia's prime minister Abbiamo accused the local government of attacking federal troops, and he said the region's ruling party, the Tigre, People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, were traitors. We're going to the National Defense Force that has been in the bunkers for the past 20, plus years defending its people and the country by paying heavy sacrifices with its blood and flesh has been attacked this evening in Michael. And many other places by traders and the force they organized. The army has been attacked from behind by its own citizens, and many have been martyred, wounded and properties destroyed. This force of destruction has been engaged in many counterproductive activities for the past many months. The regional president of Tigre. Debra Montgomery kill, has described the actions of the military as an invasion were joined on the line out from Addis Ababa by William Davison. He's a senior analyst on Ethiopia for the International Crisis Group. Thank you for joining us. What's the latest that you're hearing how many casualties in the fighting? Well, actually, the number of casualties of fatalities is one of the things that is not clear. There is still a communications blackout across Tigre. But there are certainly casualties being reported from the hospital visits and outside the thing. Essentially, we have an active conflict, a CZ you've clearly described in the introduction. The fighting has been concentrated in West too great so far has bean incursions by the federal military from West agree that Paul is the horror region on horror regions. Forces have also been involved. To some extent. I think it's worth noting that degrades main supply route would be through West a great and into Eastern sedan reported on so that perhaps explains the focus of that fighting, and we've also seen small search skirmishes around medically. To grace capital and in the last day or so, that is involved air strikes by the federal military to try and take out military installations around metal. And that really indicates a major problem here, which is that part of the federal military appeared to be siding with a great vision. Can you explain a little bit of background to this? Why has this situation been allowed to reach to this state of hostility? Well, I mean offices that there's a very long political background to great region has a long history of autonomy to the central government, as well as being involved in central politics. More recently, TPLF was the preeminent party, the ruling coalition that lasted essentially until 2018 when Communist at the Army came to power. No off. He took power on the tplf. They lost a lot off their federal positions and power. And there were all sorts of accusations traded back and forth allegations of destabilization as we've heard what's on the TPL aside. They said that they were unfairly targeted prosecutions by the federal government and also discrimination and marginalization More general Then there was the creation of a national ruling party by prime minister Beyond the TPLF objected to that, Andi they sat it out, became formerly part of the opposition this year. This is evolved into an electoral dispute at the constitutional disputes. The federal government tried to extend all government terms when it delayed elections due to covered 19 Tigre opposed us. They run their own poll and that lets the federal government describing Tigre is government is unlawful and takeaways Government government, saying the federal government had overstayed its constitutional mandate. That is the buildup to the conflict We have now and William, you're seeing evidence now that the military in Tigre is siding with the Local government. Is that right? Yes, That's right. Like I say, information blackout. I can't be sure of exactly what's occurring on the ground. But yesterday, the federal government says that the military the air force to try to take out missile launches on missiles. Now that is Ethiopian military hardware. So that suggests either elements of what is called the Northern Command a very powerful units of Egypt's military that has been fighting the war on manning the border with Eritrea that suggested either elements Since there have defected or otherwise under the control of the secret leadership. Otherwise, the air Force would not be bombing those installations. This is a major piece of the puzzle in terms of the balance of power here, and it suggests that we could be entering a protracted conflict that is a conflict that is likely to escalate, it could destabilize Ethiopia and its armed forces it could bring in Eritrea. And it could generally destabilize the entire region. This is why dialogue and some form of talks is absolutely in Paris, and
Pacifica Evening News
The International Crisis Group issues a rare report about the US
"Crisis Group, which focuses on preventing global conflict in developing nations, issued a rare report today. The first thing is 25 year history about the United States and fears of violence surrounding the upcoming presidential election. The report the US presidential election, managing the risk of violence Notes. The president's quote, often incendiary rhetoric suggest he will more likely stoke than calm tensions the world's most powerful country. Could face a period of growing instability and increasingly diminished credibility abroad and quote to avoid election violence. The report urges bipartisan support. Of election vote counting and results
Weekend Edition Saturday
UN General Assembly: US-China tensions flare over coronavirus
"Pandemic is a test of international cooperation. One, the U. N secretary general says the world is failing is NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports that failure Was on display at the ongoing General Assembly. The secretary general is trying to use this virtual General Assembly to get countries to work together to fight the pandemic and many other global challenges. But one Security Council debate showed just how hard this will be. You know shame on each of you. I am astonish, and I'm disgusted. That's the U. S ambassador to the U. N. Kelly Craft accusing her colleagues, though not naming, which ones of playing politics with covert 19 members of the council who took this opportunity to focus on political grudges rather than the critical issue at hand. My goodness Craft defended the Trump administration's decision to pull out of the World Health Organization and said China should be held to account for quote, unleashing this plague onto the world. China's Ambassador John Joon, says the US is just trying to blame others for its own failings. The United the States has been spread in political virus on this information. And for 18 confrontation on division. Up to that point, it had been a rather dry Security Council meeting about global governance in the wake of covert 19. There was a lot of talk about multilateralism and a few veiled swipes at the Trump Administration's America first approach, Kraft said. The U. S has given you n agencies $900 million to counter the pandemic and compared that to others on the Security Council. NYU's year 4.6 million South Africa 8.4 million Indonesia five million. The US does give more to the U. N than other, says Richard Gallon of the International Crisis Group. But this is not just about money. Foreign diplomats had grown accustomed to trump attacking. Yuen arrangements like the Paris climate deal on mechanisms like the Human Rights Council. But they were genuinely shocked the Washington would walk away from the W. H O during a global pandemic. Speaking via Skype, he said diplomats are worried about what he calls a nasty fight between the US and China as Beijing tries to increase its influence in the world body on a day to day basis, Chinese diplomats in New York are often Very assertive, increasingly hard line and sometimes bullying colleagues from smaller countries. The reality is that for most members of the U. N, neither the US nor China Is offering an attractive vision of the future of multilateralism and the world needs multilateral solutions on a range of issues beyond the pandemic, says Latisha Courtois, who represents the International Committee of the Red Cross. She's raising the alarms about the forgotten conflicts from Yemen to this, the hell region of Africa has a triple threat of climate conflict and called it mansions. And for that they need to be a collective approach. The U. N Secretary General Antonio Guterres made the same appeal all week, reminding diplomats that the World Sol a previous period of fragmentation a century ago. The result was the first World War. Followed by the seconds. Over. 19 is casting a dark shadow across the world. And he called the band eh Mika warning that must spur US toe action. Michelle Kelemen. NPR news, the State Department
The World
As World Powers Push To Implement Iran Nuclear Deal - Who Needs America?
"At the United Nations. The Trump administration wanted support to restore economic sanctions on Iran. European nations as the U. N. Security Council were having none of it. It was a humiliating defeat for Washington. Robert Malley is here to help us make sense of this rift. He's a former White House negotiator for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the current president of the International Crisis Group in Brussels. Robert. Why are European nations rejecting Washington's request for more sanctions? Well, I think it's going to take a step back and and try to look at what the Trump administration was trying to do. President withdrew from disagreement some time ago and value to the agreement by reimposing unilateral U. S sanctions even though Iran at the time had been living up to the deal. That is not just me saying it. The U. S. Was saying it itself. The nuclear inspectors were saying it as well. So the US withdraws from the deal and then comes back a year or two later and says. We now want invoke a provision of this deal that we have withdrawn from him that we have violated in order to force other countries. The U. N system as a whole to reimpose collective sanctions on Iran and European countries have been saying for some time. Something that says you do not have the ability to bring back these sanctions since you walked away from the deal under which these sanctions were going to be re important, but at the same time Iran is violating the terms of the 2015 around nuclear deal. So why not hold him to it? I mean, the European countries are trying have invoked a dispute resolution mechanism in the deal itself to try to work out this problem with the rains. That's the way to tell is supposed to work. Iran into European nations and others. Russia and China are supposed to sit down, which they have done episodic in covert. 19 has since gotten in the way, so they still keep the calibrating the response. But it just doesn't compute for Europeans and they told the U. S. For a long time. Let's try to work together to try to resolve this rather than you going your own way and violating the deal withdrawn from the deal. And then, as I said, invoking A provision of the deal to try to reimpose sanctions. But why can't the remaining countries who are in the deal with Iran? Why can't they snap back the sanctions? They could. Of course, we could send back the sanctions. They certainly would be in their right to snap back the sanctions. They just don't see the logic to snapping back sanctions against the country that had been faithfully respecting the provisions of the deal until the U. S withdrew. From their view is the best way to get back into compliance is for the U. S. Two. Restore its sanctions relief and for Iran to come back into compliance with the deal, But they're hard to imagine that happening under the trump. Well, yeah, it's not. So where does that leave? The European countries were still part of the deal? What's the strategy? It is them ism in a waiting game. They want to see. You know the vote that happened of Security Council was one vote. The important one is the one that's gonna happen in the U. S on November 3rd and they want they're waiting to see as so many whether vice President Joe Biden is elected or President. Trump has re elected vice president Biden is elected he has committed To returning to the in which case if Iran returns into compliance, we're back to no more or less where we were before, and if they don't then the Europeans might well consider reimposing sanctions. If President Trump is elected. I think their view is the secure. The nuclear deal is buried. And at that point, let's turn the page and see where we go. Just happened to you and Was an exercise to buy time by the Europeans and others. Let's see what happened in November and see whether the nuclear deal can live to fight another day in job after General 20. Okay, let's turn to Russia and China Since the nuclear deal was signed in 2015, Russia and China have kind of changed their behavior toward Iran, and they're reportedly now interested in resuming arms sales to Tehran. How do you see their change of heart towards their own? Not that it's really change of heart. I think they've always wanted to maintain strong relations with the RAF, although they were concerned by the prospect of Iran developing a nuclear weapon, I've suspected you might see some arm cells to Iran occurring and the conventional weapons in balance between Iran and neighbors is such a lot would have to do a lot to make up. I think this is not necessarily going to be a game changer. I don't expect that we're going to see a major arms purchase from Iran's simply because they are suffering from huge economic problems of their own. What could this diplomatic standoff mean for the future of the Security Council? You know, it's not good for the Security Council security because we really are in analysis in Wonderland world where the U. S is going to say, 30 days from now, the U. S will say sanctions back the rest of the council and the rest of the world will say no, That's not the case And so you'll live into with two parallel universes. That's not good, but let's also put it in perspective. It's not the first time the Security Council has gone through a crisis. Just think back to the Iraq war, so there have been other cases. Where the council has got through huge divisions. I think there's two lessons to be drawn. We're going to see those crises and the Security Council will survive them. On the other hand, the Security Council is not that effective a body when the main powers that comprise it are not able to speak in one voice that's reflected in the Security Council, which is simply a mirror image of the state of global politics. Robert Malley is the former White House negotiator for the 2015 Iran
Morning Edition
4 days after U.S. signs a deal with the Taliban, the fight is on
"Martin on Saturday the United States and the Taliban signed a deal intended as a first step to peace in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of US troops from the country just four days later the US is fighting the Taliban again the US says it has conducted an airstrike against Taliban fighters and hers international correspondent DND joins us now from Islamabad Pakistan DHEA what happened so according to a spokesman for US forces are they conducted an airstrike against Taliban fighters in the southern Helmand province fighters there were talking an Afghan military checkpoint it was the first right against the Taliban since he was signed a deal with them on Saturday and that's meant to see conditional a withdrawal of US and NATO forces within fourteen months up before that deal the Taliban had abided by seven day partial truce but after the deal itself it's been it's been vague whether that meant continued or not so even though this this deal has been signed between the U. S. and the Taliban the Taliban can still attack of US forces or even Afghan right from Wilson the deal is vague on this point and what analysts think is happening right now is that the Taliban a testing the limits of the Americans and the commitment to the steel and the Afghan government and they might have actually been emboldened by recent events consider this on Monday the Taliban announce a resuming their attacks against Afghan security forces and I conducted more than forty just in the Helmand province alone on Tuesday evening president trump called the Taliban's chief negotiator that was the first time an American president has talked directly to anyone in the Taliban following the call the Taliban attacked military checkpoints and killed sixteen soldiers and then miss U. S. S. strike happened in response to a different attack in another part of the country what's the strategy I mean to the extent that you're able can you explain what why this would benefit the Taliban to escalate attacks just after signing this deal with US right what it appears to be is that the Taliban need to continue their attacks because violence is the chief leverage they don't really have anything else and they need to demonstrate their muscle especially as they going forward with negotiations with the Afghan government to settle their place in the future if gonna stop and so on this point I spoke to Andrew Watkins he's a senior analyst at the international crisis group in his in Kabul right now and he says the it's the Taliban Khan really stop stop their attacks because it might de motivate their base what is the Taliban all of a sudden result such an extended road tion in violence but when it calls its fighters to resume in order to put that pressure on the Afghan government what if the fighters don't return the call great so so what does happen next I mean how does this complicate the talks that are supposed to happen between the Taliban and the Afghan government right so what we see now to select a hammering out of the parameters and that the question is like what level of violence will be Americans tolerate in Afghanistan as they prepared withdrawal particularly instead of cons of consecrated forces who let's remember are the allies which the US is effectively funded and trained and because the Americans being vague on what they'll tolerate where probably gonna learn the limits is struck by a strike all right it goes on and here's the deed in the Islamabad thank you DO we appreciate it thank you
All Things Considered
Operation against Soleimani was set in motion before embassy attack
"Our top story today the killing of an Iranian military commander ordered by president trump last night at my direction the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number one terrorist anywhere in the world Major General Qassem Soleimani was at Baghdad airport when he was hit by U. S. drones salamander was plotting eminent in sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act trump went on to blame someone money for recent attacks on US targets in Iraq and for acts of terror across the Middle East over decades we took action last night to stop a war we did not take action to start a war Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded in a harsh statement he said quote a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood on their hands the state department has ordered Americans in Iraq to leave immediately and the Pentagon said it sending more than three thousand troops to the Middle East to bolster security in Congress reaction to the killing has been sharply divided Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who praise the operation it knowledge as much in remarks on the Senate floor productive way on up in this political environment the operation that led to solo on his death may prove controversial or devices I recommend that all centers wait to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing much public judgment free to speak now with Virginia senator Tim Kaine Democrat on the armed services and foreign relations committees he has spoken publicly about the US move calling it quote a drastic escalation of hostilities and he's just introduced a war powers resolution to force a vote in Congress before further action against Iran can be taken senator came welcome to the program thank you I we've heard much criticism about Chris not getting full notification about what was going to happen so when did you first get word of this operation I'm already I heard about it the same way they much of the congressional leadership did through newspaper and press accounts the president not only did not seek congressional permission he didn't even notified Congress and that's why I filed the war powers resolution today is is general Salah money a despicable Keller yes he was is around a bad actor yes it is and remains so but the question is whether the United States should be engaged in a war with Iran another war in the Middle East that in my view would be unnecessary under no circumstances should we be in such a war based on the president's whim that should have to be debated and voted on in Congress now as the president has said he believes that he was trying to stop a war not start one and there's also been reports that there were as alleged imminent attack coming from celeb money can you tell us what you've learned if there was an imminent threat from Iran's military leader posts the U. S. there has been no briefing of Congress that I am aware of and I said on both the armed services in the foreign relations committee about an imminent threat from general Soleimani he has been a known quantity and a bad guy in the despicable person for decades but there's been no briefing about whether there is an imminent threat the administration and said that they will conduct such a briefing next week but the constitution is very very plain that we shouldn't be a war unless there is a vote of Congress and that is what my resolution resolution will force the kind of debate with the facts on the table so that the American public can see it there may be some of my calling to think a war with Iran is a good idea but we should be having this debate from the public and and putting it to a vote not allowing this president or any president to take such a step on his own you know past efforts to claw back authority from the president have failed right what do you think is going to bring your colleagues around this time it is it has been difficult most recently in the in the Senate we passed a resolution was actually an amendment to the defense authorizing bill by fifty to forty vote saying the president could not initiate war against Iran without a vote of Congress but because that was a motion that required sixty votes we didn't get to the threshold but we're getting closer and closer this it also happened with Yemen as well right and even last year house Democrats voted to repeal the two thousand one authorization of use of military force and they tried to claw back the Iraq war authorization these seem to be non starters what's the reluctance ID when I started this when I came into the Senate in twenty thirteen as a member of the committee I could hardly get two or three senators interested in at the fact that we had fifty votes in the Senate a few months ago the fact that we passed a resolution in both houses trying to stop the U. S. activity supporting Saudi attacks in Yemen the number of senators in Congress men and women who are very very worried about war being waged by president with no consultation with Congress is growing and in this particular case I warned the president two years ago that if he tore up a diplomatic deal with Iran he would blunder us into a war and the Pentagon has been advising the White House for well over a year that the maximum pressure campaign of the trump administration economic diplomatic and military is raising the rest every day to retaliation against Americans that's what's happening and it's time for Congress to step in and the mechanism that I've used will force us to have that debate and vote whether the votes will be sufficient on whether president trump might veto will have to get to that down the road but at least Congress cannot be silent about this we have to put everybody on the board I want to jump in at the last moment here because you mentioned the maximum pressure campaign on Iran you've said that the US should do it recently came to punish Iran's bad behavior the US is already in CD tough sanctions that have heard Iran's economy haven't brought them to the negotiating table final moments what are the options well the president should try the one thing that he has refused to try he remember was this president that tore up a diplomatic deal with Iran over its nuclear program that our ally said was working at the international atomic energy agency said was working and that secretaries teller sin and mad us in general make master president's original national security teams that was working the president might want to consider diplomacy rather than blundering us into a war that's not necessary that's democratic senator Tim Kaine of Virginia thank you for your time absolutely Iran's Major General Qassem Soleimani was on the U. S. is radar for years the American military says the money commanded Iranian forces and worked with the rocking wishes that killed hundreds of US troops so how did he escape Washington's reach for so long here's NPR national security correspondent Greg Mary the US government designated Iran's Qassem Soleimani a supporter of terrorism way back in two thousand seven at that time US general David Petraeus was battling insurgents in Iraq who are being guided by soon money from afar and they were often killing American troops he was a very significant and formidable adversary but there was no real way for Petraeus to act against to a money back then I can note that during that time as the commander of the law custom so long certainly never dare set foot in the country however in recent years so money had become a periodic visitor to a rock and shortly after his plane touched down at the Baghdad airport on Friday morning a U. S. drone strike turned his car into a fireball it killed the man who's been the architect of Iran's military operations throughout the Middle East the trainer says his death deals a serious blow to Iran I think it is impossible to overstate the significance of this action he is in my view the second or was he was in my view the second most important person in awhile and second only to the supreme leader Salah money age sixty two sported silver hair a neatly trimmed beard and popped up across the region and well pressed military fatigues he spent almost his entire adult life engaged in Iran's regional conflicts and since the late nineteen nineties he commanded Iran's could force comparable to US special forces he came to symbolize Iran's effort to be the leading power broker across the region from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon the US watch as his influence grew out of this custom for the money was not in the administration's cross hairs for the last two administrations rob Malley was a Middle East expert on the National Security Council during the Obama administration he's now head of the international crisis group they were opportunities in the past no doubt to assassinate him the decision at the time was made not to do so because the assessment was that the risks outweighed the benefits clearly this administration president trump has changes calculus trump has waged a maximum pressure campaign in repeatedly threatened the country Malley meanwhile believes Iran will now retaliate perhaps in a big way killing him is for all intents and purposes the declaration of war but secretary of state Mike Pompeii told CNN the administration acted because it had intelligence that sewer money was planning another attack he was actively plotting in the region to take actions a big actions he described it that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk Hey declined to provide details in recent years so money had gone from a shadowy figure to someone who is increasingly visible on the front lines of conflicts like Syria where he played a critical role in propping up president Bashar al Assad he gained a lot of precision around because he went on the battlefield and was not a general stayed behind but who went sometimes with the risk was and I think that contributed to his image in a strange twist he found himself on the same side as the US a couple of years ago a rocky malicious under his guidance and American troops were both battling the Islamic state again David Petraeus he was doing sell for use on the front lines with a walkie malicious fighters but that alignment didn't last earlier this week trump blamed Iran for killing a US contractor in for orchestrating the attempt to storm the U. S. embassy in Baghdad defense secretary mark asper dropped a hint of what was coming saying Thursday that quote the game has changed rob Malley is skeptical that still monies death will change Iran's behavior they've already named his replacement and one should expect to run in foreign policy is not going to change in any significant way as a result of his death hours after school money was killed Iran's supreme leader vowed to continue the same course Greg my re NPR news
Weekend Edition Sunday
US Still In Open Skies Treaty, Needs Evidence To Support Exit
"The open skies treaty basically says to Russia you show me yours and I'll show you mine for the past seventeen years that treaty has left Washington and Moscow take aerial photos openly of one another's military installations nearly all the NATO allies take part in the treaty as does Ukraine but there are increasing signs that the trump administration is ready to close the American skies and bail out of this treaty and yours David welna has the story it was president Dwight Eisenhower who first proposed the US and the Soviet Union fly over each other's territory and exchange their photos the first President Bush revive that idea after the Soviet Union collapsed and it was early in his son's administration one such flights actually began under the open skies treaty its proponents say that even in the age of satellites the treaty offers distinct advantages and gives you access to things that even if you have a satellite network you might not be able to see the old girl liquor she directs the your program at the international crisis group in Brussels via Skype she says it's not just that surveillance planes can fly below clouds blocking the view of satellites they also help prevent dangerous miscalculations or wait for the parties to be on the same page about who has watched where on Wednesday the Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing for deputy secretary of state John Sullivan nominee for the empty ambassadors post in Moscow Massachusetts Democrat ed Markey press Sullivan about signs the U. S. may be pulling the plug on the open skies treaty I have received information that before John Bolton resign president trump may have made a decision to exit the open skies treaty Sullivan neither confirmed nor denied reports trump had signed a document stating his intent to withdraw from the treaty I inquired as to whether we had withdrawn from the treaty and was assured we had not if the US were to pull out of the treaty Solomon added there would need to be substantial evidence to support the national security interests for withdrawal from that treaty that would be a mistake it's really hard to see what we can with Dr we actually conduct many more flights of the Russian in Russia conducts of the United States Stephen Piper is a former US ambassador to Ukraine he says the US has conducted nearly three times more surveillance flights over Russia and Russia has over the US Washington has done similar flights over Ukraine it's a good way to monitor what Russian and Russian proxy forces are doing in eastern Ukraine and and that's a good way to peace order and my guess is the Ukrainians would be unhappy abusing that still opponents say Russia has repeatedly denied American overflights of key military installations one such critic is Arkansas Republican senator Tom cotton perhaps rather than calling this the open skies treaty maybe it should be called the open skies over America and the clothes guys over Russia treaty cotton was speaking at a recent confirmation hearing for admiral Charles Richard nominated to head the US strategic command notably Richard defended the treaty we do derive some benefit from it vertically with our allies we would need to make the appropriate resource and operational command must utilize the full provisions of the treaty if we were to remain that's because Moscow has modernized its surveillance planes but all occur says the US has not yet the United States is it needs to modernize our place that aircraft if it doesn't then it really just talking is getting any value from the treaty not because the treaty has no value because America's airplanes don't work pulling out of the open skies treaty would require six months notice and that hasn't happened not yet
All Things Considered
No church again in Sri Lanka
"For the second weekend in a row. There will be no church services in Sri Lanka, this is because of fears of more attacks like the Easter suicide bombings that were blamed on his Llamas extremists more than two hundred and fifty people were killed as NPR's. Michael Sullivan reports from Colombo many Sri Lanka's are still wondering how such a thing could happen. Sri Lanka knows war and suicide bombings, its decades-long conflict between ethnic Thomas separatists, and the majority Sinhalese government left more than one hundred thousand did a war that ended ten years ago this month. Now, the peace has been shattered by the bombings linked to the Islamic state. So yucca now is caught up in this global wall political analyst, David Young Goethe Thome awful several decades, and they'll this brief interregnum and over the Bechtel living with Kroll after the war ended in. Two thousand nine says horrendous Vidana gave the bundle Nike center for international studies. Sri Lanka's, political leaders may have paid too much attention to the country's place in geopolitical rivalries in the Indian Ocean and too little on what was happening at home. You clearly see the return of foreign fighters coming from Syria towards the issue and decisions was a clear signal of polarization Lankan society to the right, and to certainly slimy groups becoming one more allies. So I think these things that we lost focus on and there were people who exploited that lack of focus. All. Like this, man. The fiery preacher around Husham? Police say was the leader of last month's bombings. One of two men killed in the suicide attack at the Shangri LA hotel in Colombo. In videos like this one he rails against nonbelievers. Religious leaders say repeatedly warned thirties about sovereign in his message of hate to no avail. But it wasn't the only one preaching hate religious hardliners and the Buddhist majority community. Here have conducted a campaign against the Muslim minority for years, including anti-muslim riots in two thousand fourteen and again last year, it was complete impunity for these attacks mob swept through was the Maria's in burn people out. Absolutely, no one has been prosecuted for any of this. Alan Keenan issue Lanka project director for the International Crisis Group in London. And so clearly that is changed the mood within the Muslim community. They feel under siege. They feel unprotected and the government has done very little to sway those fears or to respond to the threat. None of this Canaan says justifies the Easter attacks, and it may not have directly contributed to them. It's hard to think that it hasn't made it more likely that some small number of Muslims feeling so alienated and feeling angry might be more susceptible to extremely radical jihadi. Ideologies like I s. Two of the bombers brothers, the sons of a wealthy spice merchant lived here in the affluent neighborhood of demagoguing where a twenty four year old grad student, a Muslim neighbor from a few doors down is still trying to get her head around it. They had everything they had money. They had all developed they needed educated. So I asked my mum. Why do you think they did this? What was wrong with them? She's angry at them for taking life and for making her wary of leaving the house since the Easter attacks. She doesn't want her name used because she's afraid and she was shocked to see what some of schoolmates have been saying about was on social media since the attacks. No, I'm really scared to even step out of this Lynn with my national identity card, which has this address because you think you will be branded. Yes. Because I think I'd be branded used to be so proud, but not anymore the civil war here ended. She says. But now now she too. Sri Lanka is part of something much bigger. And that scares her even
NPR's World Story of the Day
The U.S. And Russia Are Stocking Up On Missiles And Nukes For A Different Kind Of War
"The US has begun production of a new nuclear weapon supporters of the weapons they it's needed to counter Russia, but critics worry it's taking America back to a time when nuclear weapons were more likely to be used NPR's, Jeff Brumfield has more. It wasn't that long ago with the military had plans to use nuclear weapons all over the place July nineteen sixty two these troops were the first hour army's history to engage in tactical exercise supported by live nuclear firepower. That's our KYW footage from the Nevada. Desert. Hundreds of troops rehearsed to the tech. But before they went in they fired a tiny nuclear weapon at a simulated enemy position it detonated perfectly releasing its lethal radiation back, then that was how some thought nuclear war would look nukes small enough to knock out just a couple of city blocks used together with conventional weapons like tanks and troops. Of course, that's not what happened radiation and other factors may nuclear weapons of bad fit for the battlefield, and as the US's conventional strength through battlefield nuclear weapons became less important and the end of the Cold War, the United States said well that was kind of stupid. Why did we have all the? Stuff. Let's get rid of it. Matthew crane is at the Atlantic Council. He also worked on nuclear strategy in the Pentagon, the US dismantled nearly all of its battlefield nuclear weapons. But Russia took a different path. It has kept thousands of battlefield nukes in storage. So today Russia has nuclear landmines nuclear torpedoes, nuclear depth charges nuclear artillery, nuclear short range missiles, and the Trump administration believes Russia would be tempted to use some of these weapons in conflict. If that happened chronic says, the US wouldn't be able to responding kind though only nukes it has left are big weapons designed to fight an apocalyptic nuclear war. So the administration has begun converting an existing larger warhead into a new smaller low-yield weapon. More like the old battlefield nukes. What the low yield nuclear weapons do say, no actually we have a range of options. If you use a low you'll nuke. Earlier weapon we can respond with one two or three of our own. I mean, well, it's insane. That's Jeffrey Lewis a scholar at the Middlebury institute of international studies, who's not a fan of battlefield nukes. The Trump administration's new warheads sits on the same missile that now carries a much more powerful nuclear weapon. So if the US did use it for some reason, all the Russians are going to see is that a missile that only carries nuclear warheads is heading toward Russia and Russian policy as Flannery. Putin has said many times is not to wait for it to land. In other words, Russia could unleash an attack on the US just to be safe or go ole occur is with the International Crisis Group. She says just the existence of smaller US weapons could cost the Russians to take battlefield nukes out of storage. They think wow, we need to deter that. No way are conventional weapons deter that. We have to emphasize the nuclear capability, she says that could end. Up countering the vastly superior conventional forces of the US, they're throwing away advantage. The Trump administration says several of these new smaller weapons will be ready to enter service later this year, but the administration's long-term plans for more battlefield nukes. Face a bigger obstacle. Newly elected Democrats have vowed to block them. Jeff Brumfield NPR news, Washington. This message comes from NPR sponsor. Comcast business. Business has always been driven by innovators. That's why Comcast business is helping you with technology that provides better experiences. Comcast business beyond fast.
0 Show
Former Canadian diplomat reportedly arrested in China
"Canada. The International Crisis Group says it's looking into reports one of its staffers a former Canadian diplomat is under arrest in China. Michael Culver joined the think tank last year after diplomatic Stinson. Beijing Hong Kong in the UN is reported arrests comes this way technologies chief financial officer among one Joe faces bail hearings in Vancouver, Google CEO. Sinndar Pichai is testifying for the first time before the House Judiciary committee
NPR's World Story of the Day
Why Are People So Angry At Ebola Responders In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo?
"This podcast. And the following message is brought to you by jet dot com. Your one stop shopping destination. The jet experience provides a unique and relevant Dortmund with no membership fees. Start shopping conveniently at jet dot com or on the jet app. Today. Ebola has been spreading through an eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo for more than three months more than two hundred forty people have been infected and recently the tally of new cases has risen from about ten to more than thirty per week NPR's and Eisenman explains why this outbreak is proving difficult to end last month visual Attiyah found himself in a town near the epicenter of the outbreak surrounded by an angry crowd. Yes. My Ricky appear young some had rocks. Some had empty bottles is with the international federation of the Red Cross and coordinator of these safe burial teams, they sent into the community when someone has died if he Boola at home on this day the team had come to pick up the body of. Child. No fun descend on a boy of seven. I just as the crowd of about one hundred and fifty neighbors started gathering as soon as the team arrived at first people were just watching is the team pulled on protective suits and walked into the house. Then just as the team was about to put the boy into a body bag Abudu on the boy's father rushed in and said, he changed his mind. He didn't want his son taken this way. That's when the mood in the crowd shifted from curious to menacing in an instant the team immediately backed off started taking off their suits as quickly as they dared to Bramall be fear. It's just fear. The worst you're trying not to look like you're rushing because showing fear will provoke the crown. You're also trying to get out before someone throws the first rock because you know, once that happens everyone will start throwing in his team did manage to drive off in time. But the DS's government reports that health workers are being threatened like this three or. Or four times a week, partly it's because many people in the communities where Ebola is now spreading had never heard of it. So they're resistant to giving up their loved ones to these strange people in scary, plastic suits, but there's another issue. She's predom- is a senior analyst with International Crisis Group local population is very distrustful of the government. Even though this part of the DRC has a lot of mineral wealth, people are desperately poor many believe the ruling authorities only care about exploiting the wealth for themselves. We haven't seen anything from this government. Perhaps most of all they are furious that for years now, multiple armed rebel groups have roomed the area, and neither the central government, nor a United Nations peacekeeping force. That is thousands strong has offered much protection just ten days ago. One of these groups reportedly killed fifteen civilians and kidnapped a dozen children. And so says done when an authority figure be it from the government or a foreign health worker shows up to warn about Ebola. There's a questioning. Of whether this outbreak is even real know, whether they're ulterior motives that. The government has also after pretty much every attack by a rebel group people in the affected town or city had been staging street protests during which he Bola responders or forced to hunker down that includes health workers who would normally be tracing anyone who has had contact with an infected person. So the contact can be vaccinated and monitored Ray Arthur is one of the officials tracking the bull epidemic for the US centers for disease control and prevention. So every time this happens. Your teams don't go out. They don't see the contacts and the disease spreads the world. Health Organization has called for more security in the opera zone, but predom- of international crisis. Group says the UN is trying to wind down its presence in the DRC. So it's very unlikely they'll add peacekeepers in the outbreak zone right now. The UN's main focus on the DRC our elections that are set for December making sure the government actually holds them doesn't crack down on opposition groups in fear of that the UN has had to shift its pieces of. Ford away from the east where he bowl is spreading to other parts of the country L workers have managed to vaccinate a record number of people more than twenty four thousand so far and the CDC's Arthur says that's why despite the violence. This outbreak is not spiraling. But the logger this goes on we may get to the point where that dampening effect that we have of using the vaccine is no longer keeping the level transmission down. And then Arthur says we could move into a more explosive outbreak Narita Eisenman NPR news support for this podcast and the following message. Come from internet essentials from Comcast. Connecting more than six million low income people to low cost high speed internet at home. So students are ready for homework class graduation and more. Now, they're ready for anything.
BBC World Service
Paris conference seeks political roadmap for lawless Libya
"Development of existentialist thinking and feminism her views advanced considerably towards group solidarity and action after france was occupied in world war two she was still selling revolutionary newspapers on street corners in her sixties and politically active till she died and then remained controversial afterwards i'll be joined by a biographer of simone de beauvoir a close friend of hers and a leading philosopher to examine this fascinating enigmatic character so please join us after the news bbc news hello i'm gary spano a close aide of the north korean leader kim jong un is reported to be on his way to the united states kim yong shows visit could be another sign that preparations for a summit between north korea and the united states are moving ahead laura bicker is in so kim yang chow was seen boarding a flight to the us according to the news agency yonhap although his exact destination isn't yet clear he's really far from kim jong inside he was on both of his trips to china and during his meetings with the south korean president moon jaein mr kim has also met the us secretary of state mike pompeo in pyongyang he is the regime's former spy chief and a key strategist if north korea and the us are to reach any deal on denuclearization he will have a major part to play a conference aimed at agreeing a roadmap to reunify libya is being held in paris today fronts hopes the two sides will will commit themselves to hold nationwide elections roger walker has more details under president emmanuel mccall has tried to expand its role as a peacemaker in libya nastier mr mac hall convene rare talks between fires suraj who heads the un backed unity government in western libya and the militia leader holly hunter whose forces dominate the east of the country the two men will feature prominently at the paris conference but there has been criticism of the format the international crisis group an ngo which works to prevent and resolve conflicts said negotiating through individual personalities without ensuring a broader consensus was likely to be counterproductive the hungarian government is placing a new set of laws before parliament today targeting civil rights groups which help silom secrets the legislation could make printing leaflets with information for asylum seekers and offering them food or legal advice.