Across The Great Divide
Sectarianism is a fact of life in much of the Arab world. But political scientist Marc Lynch tells us that recently, the Sunni/Shiite divide has suddenly emerged as a media preoccupation throughout the Middle East.
Iraq & Middle East
Reality TV, Diplomacy Style
The producers of the new Arab satellite show “On The Road In America” didn’t set out to make just another reality TV show. With advisors like James Baker and Lee Hamilton, they were trying to win hearts and minds. We speak with producer and former Reagan aide Richard Fairbanks.
Inside Manar
Hezbollah took its struggle to Beirut's streets this week, but the group's been taking its message to the air for many years. Its vehicle is Al Manar, the TV station deemed a mouthpiece for terror by the U.S State Department. Reporter Kelly McEvers offers a rare behind-the-scenes portrait of Al Manar.
Nearer, The Web, To Thee
When Syria's computer-savvy president Bashar al-Assad took office, some expected it to usher in a new era of freedom of expression, at least online. Six years and a war in Iraq later, World Politics Watch editor Guy Taylor went to Syria to assess the online environment there.
Listen to Guy Taylor's interview with Syrian telecomminications minister Amr Salem.
Watching Saddam
Most would agree that the Saddam execution video is “watchable” in a way the Nicholas Berg or Daniel Pearl decapitation videos aren't. But art critic Richard Woodward says it still looks too much like a snuff film, and thus helps cement his legacy as a martyr.
Hanged Jury
How is Saddam Hussein’s execution playing in the Arab media? Depends on your sectarian filter. Arab media watcher Marc Lynch says that even the few outlets representing Shiite and Sunni viewpoints are themselves starting to come apart at the seams.
Death Watch
Most would agree that the Saddam execution video is “watchable” in a way the Nicholas Berg or Daniel Pearl decapitation videos aren’t. But art critic Richard Woodward says it still looks too much like a snuff film, and thus helps cement his legacy as a martyr.
Surge Overkill
President Bush is dismissing calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, reportedly favoring instead a plan for troop increases. We consider the semantics of the “surge” debate with the American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick Kagan and Foreign Affairs Magazine editor Gideon Rose.
