The Dalai Lama is receiving the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor today, America's top civilian award, and George Bush is in attendance. It's the first time a sitting American president has publicly recognized the Buddhist icon since he fled China's takeover of Tibet. China calls him a supporter of "evil cults," and regards his continued popularity in Tibet as a threat to its territorial sovereignty. During 50 years of brutality and intimidation, the Dalai Lama has counseled non-violence. Will massive new development and a new railroad improve the lives of Tibetans or accelerate the takeover by ethnic Chinese?
Unprecedented Recognition for the Dalai Lama
Credits
Guests:
- David Lampton - Director of China Studies, Johns Hopkins University
- Robert Barnett - Director of Modern Tibetan Studies, Columbia University - @robbiebarnett
- David Jones - Foreign Editor, Washington Times